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Effective January 2006, Food and Nutrition Services will not provide baked or sugar sweetened desserts as part of the standard school lunch. Desserts such as cookies, cakes, etc. were never included as part of the Department of Agriculture’s reimbursable meal. These desserts contribute extra calories, often making the lunch consumed one third of the daily energy (calorie) requirement for age. Poor eating habits and sedentary life styles are more prevalent in children and adolescents today. Obesity rates among adolescents have tripled in the last two decades. Among children it has doubled. Almost 80 percent of children and adolescents do not eat the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Adult diseases such as Type 2 diabetes are seen regularly in overweight students in our community even as young as second grade. The school setting can play a major role in the health and nutrition habits of our young people. By not regularly offering desserts, the food and Nutrition Services department promotes the following: · Desserts/sweets are not necessary component of daily meals. A la Carte frozen desserts and ice cream will continue to be offered. · Students will choose increased fruit, vegetable or low fat dairy components as part of their meal. · Energy (calorie) needs at the meal will be more closely be met, reducing excess calories provided by cookies and other baked goods. It is critical that youngsters learn and adopt healthy eating habits while they are young. We ask your support in promoting this healthy initiative among our students.
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