Today the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science released its report summarizing its recommendations on "Nutrition Standards for Food in Schools."
The title is a bit misleading as the guidelines refer not to the foods served in school lunch programs, but rather to the types of "competitive foods" available in schools, that is, foods sold through vending machines and other venues.
Most of the report is based on sound science and common sense, with the guidelines advocating low-fat dairy products, with no more than 35% calories from fat and 10% or less of calories from saturated fats. But there are ample opportunities for quibbling with some of the report's other assessments.
In its first paragraph, the report mentions the serious problems posed by childhood obesity today -- but the guidelines themselves make few specific recommendations on how to limit calories. Indeed, the report has high marks for 100% fruit juices as a preferred beverage -- despite the fact that these drinks are high in calories.
The authors of the report then divide "acceptable" foods into two tiers: Tier #l (deemed acceptable for all students) includes the low-fat dairy products, caffeine- and carbonation-free drinks, and low-sodium snacks. Tier #2 (acceptable only for "high school students after school") includes "non-nutritive-sweetened, non-caffeinated, non-fortified beverages." In other words, the guidelines recommend excluding drinks like colas because of the presence of caffeine -- and excluding any of the new sodas that are fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Neither of these restrictions make sense. Caffeine is a safe ingredient -- not one to be shunned as if it were hazardous. And why would anyone interested in good nutrition want to restrict a student from drinking a diet soda that is fortified with, say, calcium?
Furthermore, the report takes a harsh stance on sugar substitutes -- introducing the totally unrealistic fear that we do not know the long term health effects of sugar substitutes and so should restrict their use by students. The report notes: "because of the uncertainties and limits in evidence...the committee does not recommend a standard for non-nutritive sweeteners in food" (in other words, they do not want to declare any level to be "safe"). This stance is without scientific merit. The sweeteners now on the market have been commonly used for years, even decades, and thoroughly tested -- much more so than many of the natural ingredients in food.
Any discouraging words on sugar substitutes is counterproductive in confronting an epidemic of obesity where it is essential that all of us -- including school-aged children -- limit intake of calories to stay within the desirable range for age and activity level. Indeed, for many overweight kids, a diet soda (perhaps one fortified with essential nutrients) is a far preferable choice for refreshment than many fruit juices.
Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan is president of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH.org, HealthFactsAndFears.com).
See also: ACSH's report on Sugar Substitute s and Your Health.
