No More Soda in Schools

[pache100]

On topic, I like this move, but I dont. I'd just buy my soda before I go to school either way, it's probably cheaper. But the kids should have options. I really would be suprised if Starbucks swooped in like someone mentioned earlier.

Me, too...like this move and don't. I certainly understand wanting kids to have healthier choices in schools...emphasis on choices. But, nutrition education should begin at home. Kids should know what healthy choices are and why.

We had Coke machines in our high schools in my junior and senior years of high school. And, it was the high point of my day sometimes, to go running to that drink machine at lunch time (or after school if I had a club meeting) and get an ice-cold bottle of Coke or Sprite...sometimes they were so cold, there were ice crystals on the outside of the bottle. I didn't have one every day; and I always asked my Mom before I left for school if I could get one. If she said no (like, "No, we are going to the baseball game tonight and you will want one there. If you'd rather have one at school, you can't have one later.") I pretty much only had one soft drink a day; the rest of the time, I drank iced tea, milk, or water. And, many days, I just didn't have any money for a Coke at school. And, you also have to bear in mind that in the deep South, where I grew up, Coca Cola ruled - their HQ was only 50 miles away in Atlanta. Nobody questioned it back then.

But, I think the difference between then and now is that kids are bombarded with unhealthy foods and drinks from all sides. And money is more available for junk food than it was when I was a kid. If that were the only place they were exposed to soda, I wouldn't have a problem with it in school. But, they get it whenever and wherever they want (at least the kids I know do), even at home; and I rarely see children drinking milk or water in restaurants any more. It sounds to me like this is one more area where kids cannot control themselves and/or parents cannot or will not control them, so the powers that be are taking things into their own hands. If that's what it takes (a baby step) to get kids' nutrition in line and cut down on obesity...I'd have to say, grudgingly, that I'm for it.