As I struggled to get a snack policy changed in my daughter's school - I found the odd complaints from some parents strange. Who would not want to provide better food environments for their kids? Perhaps there is confusion about the dangers of sugar. Not only will it make one fat and cause glucose levels to soar, but it also weakens our immunity to colds, flu and disease generally.
I don't think the message is being sent loudly enough from our responsible government agencies and doctors. So I was pleased to see an article in the New York Times this morning about New York's Education Department banning bake sales, and limiting unhealthy sugary snacks in their vending machines.
This was backed by a strong quote in the article from a significant leader at the CDC.
“There are more schools that are making more changes in what is available for kids at school,” said Howard Wechsler, the director of the division of adolescent and school health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who has studied nutrition policies at schools nationwide. “Schools are supposed to be a place where we establish a model environment, and the last thing kids need is an extra source of pointless calories.”
THANK YOU NEW YORK!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/nyregion/03bakesale.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=new%20policy%20bans&st=cse
Sunday, October 4, 2009
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