by Joanne Zornow
Schools are responsible for teaching the basics of good nutrition, but are they also responsible for what children eat during school hours? While some parents are souring on the idea of sweets in schools, others are icing the cupcakes for classroom birthday parties.
Nutrition and psychology professionals are split on whether or not sugary treats should be permitted in schools. Most experts favor moderation, but a few strongly oppose bringing sweets to classroom parties. Today we’ll hear from nutritionists. Tomorrow we’ll present views from local psychologists, a health counselor and a professor/author.
Sharon R. Akabas, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Institute of Human Nutrition Director, MS in Nutrition Program, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University
“My recommendation is to avoid restrictions on junk food at school parties. People believe in free choice and bans like that can result in unanticipated pushback.” Continue reading→
Karen Curley
Nutritionist, Sparkill, NY
“I am not supporting excessive control, but I do think that administrative policy should limit the amount of junk food offered to kids at school sponsored events.” Continue reading→
Susan Carnell, Ph.D.
Research Fellow, New York Obesity Research Center, St Luke’s Hospital and the Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University
Some psychology research suggests restricting junk food may have the paradoxical effect of making kids like it even more than they already do. Continue reading→
Beverly Herman-Rivera, RD, CDE
Registered Dietitian/ Certified Diabetes Educator, Private Practice, Glen Rock, NJ
“Banning junk food from school parties will certainly have a positive impact on kids.” Continue reading→
Marlene B. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University
“The school must err on the side of safety and caution. If there are parents who do not want their children being fed extra foods at school, then that needs to become the default position.” Continue reading→
See also: School Food Fight, 1/11/2010
Photo Credit: GloriousTreats via Flickr
When I was on the Nyack School Board in the mid 90′s, I was very concerned about the junk food that was in the candy and soda machines in the Nyack schools. One day prior to going to a School Board meeting, I went to Liberty Elementary School and purchased some of the candies and cakes that were being sold in the school machines. I took those items and placed them on the table at the Board meeting that night. I told my fellow Board members that what they were looking at was an example of the junk foods that were being sold in ours schools.
My fellow Board members proceeded to take the items on display, open them up, and consume them during the meeting. I was told by my fellow Board members that it was not the Boards place to discuss what was in the candy machines in the schools.
Bill Franco
Jacksonville, Florida
The focus on developing healthy lunch programs continues at Rockland Country Day School. Our program focuses on fresh ingredients and nutritious, well-balanced menu planning. The guiding light behind this approach is Chef Bobo, the Executive Chef at the Calhoun School in New York City.
On January 27th, Rose Walker, the Executive Chef at RCDS and a colleague of Chef Bobo, will host Bennett Fins, Executive Chef at the Family Life Academy Charter School in the Bronx. Chef Fins is about to bring the healthy lunch program model to his school. RCDS’ lunch program is modeled after the program started by Chef Bobo and Chef Bennett will observe the Pre-Kindergarten through 1st grade at lunch. According to Rose Walker, Chef Fins will be seeing for the first time how real food is prepared for our students. He will take that knowledge back with him to FLACS, where 380 students and faculty will experience lunch the RCDS and Calhoun way.