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Dear Susan,
You sure have taken on the
good fight!
In 1995, the U.S.
Agricultural Department ordered schools to cut their salt and food in
school meals which were federally subsidized. In a 1999 review, it was
found that Delaware, California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania,
Oregon, and Indiana were still using 1940's approaches to nutrition. In
that same year, the Associated Press found an increasing number of brand
name fast foods in school lunchrooms despite the 1995 U.S.A.D orders.
Meals, in general,
should not have more than 30% fats in them to be considered "healthy"
and prevent childhood obesity. Fast foods generally have more than
50-60%.
The FDA and the
International Food Information Council Foundation have developed a
booklet which helps teens use food labels to help them determine what is
good for them or not (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fdlabel.html at
bottom of page).
Another good site is
FoodFinder at
http://www.olen.com/food/, which will tell you anything about any
fast-food meal.
So, you have the U.S.A.D.,
the FDA, and the IFICF with strong stands on nutrition, and a
de-emphasis on fast foods.
Now, the real
question....are there any specific studies which have related junk food
and poor school performance? Sorry. Does it make sense that good
nutrition leads to better school performance? Sure. Do you think you
will be able to get fast food out of your school if everyone is eating
it? Doubt it. Especially if the parents are the ones buying it for their
kids.
So, what's left? Teach
and emphasize knowledge about food and nutrition and encourage good
eating habits to children and parents.
I can't tell you how to
slay the mighty "fast food dragon". If I did, I'd be living in a castle.
Dr. Mike
This
article was reviewed
04/23/2010 07:24 AM
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