FOR RELEASE JULY 22, 2014
CHICAGO – Significant
improvements in school meals designed to improve the health of 32 million
schoolchildren are taking place nationwide thanks to the Healthy, Hunger-Free
Kids Act, championed by the First Lady Michelle Obama and implemented through
the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During Kids Eat Right Month this August, as
children head back to the classroom, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
says more school meal changes are in store.
“Parents can trust
that when they send their kids to school, they will have access to healthy,
nutritious food – more fruits and vegetables, whole grain-rich foods, and less
salt, sugar and fat,” says registered dietitian and Academy Spokesperson Wesley
Delbridge.
“Healthier meals
help ensure kids are getting the nutrients they need to perform well in school
and have energy to be active and participate in sports, and to also grow into
healthy adults,” says Delbridge. “These changes can result in a lifetime of
health benefits, including reduced risk of obesity, diabetes and heart
disease.”
Based on the 2010 Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, the changes to school meals include:
· More fruits and vegetables. Lunches offer more fruit and vegetables, and
breakfast will increase the amount of fruit offered to students. “Fruits and
vegetables are packed with nutrients and most are low in calories, making them
a great option for growing kids,” Delbridge says.
· Less fat. Schools now only offer low-fat or fat-free milk, which contain all
of the nutrients with less fat than whole milk. Meals also include foods that
are lower in saturated fat, such as skinless poultry, lean meat and heart-smart
vegetables oils. In addition, trans fats is limited to zero grams per serving.
· Whole grain-rich foods. All grain-based foods like breads and muffins
will now be whole grain-rich, ensuring they contain at least half whole wheat
or whole grains. “This is great news,” Delbridge says. “Whole grains take
longer to digest, fueling kids throughout the school day.” Whole grains also
contain important nutrients like B vitamins, selenium and magnesium.
· Healthier sodium amounts. Over the next 10 years, schools will be
required to slowly reduce sodium by 25 percent to 50 percent. “Prior to the
recent changes, some school lunches contained more than 1,400 milligrams of
sodium – that’s 60 percent of what most children should be eating all day.”
Many schools have
implemented a Farm to School program, supporting their efforts to serve more
fruits and vegetables. Currently, 44 percent of schools are bringing foods from
local farms, with produce being the most frequently purchased.
Delbridge, who is
the director of food and nutrition at Chandler Unified School District in
Chandler, Ariz., says these programs are exposing children to new foods at his
school that they enjoy.
“Research shows
that eating behaviors are established early in life, so we’re really setting
ourselves up for a healthier generation of Americans,” Delbridge says. “If we
want to solve national concerns of obesity and overweight, especially for our
children, we need to begin at school, but our work doesn’t end there.”
In August, Kids Eat
Right Month, a joint initiative of the Academy and its Foundation, focuses on
the importance of healthful eating and active lifestyles for children and
families, featuring expert advice from registered dietitian nutritionists. “As
Kids Eat Right campaign members, thousands of RDNs are teaching families how to
shop smart, cook healthfully and eat right,” Delbridge says.
The Kids Eat Right
initiative features an interactive website, www.KidsEatRight.org, providing
science-based health and nutrition articles, recipes, videos and tips to help
parents and families.
For more
information about healthful eating at school and beyond and Kids Eat Right
Month, visit www.KidsEatRight.org.
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The
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity devoted
exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. It funds scholarships and awards,
public awareness and research projects and the Academy strategic initiatives,
and is the largest provider of scholarships and awards in the field of
dietetics. The Foundation’s mission is advancing public health and nutrition
utilizing the expertise of registered dietitian nutritionists. Visit the
Academy Foundation at www.eatright.org/foundation.
The Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition
professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and
advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.
Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org
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