What do you think?

[michael]

Schwarzenegger Urges Anti-Junk Food Bill

By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY, Associated Press WriterTue Jul 26,12:13 PM ET

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is promoting legislation that would encourage healthier food and drinks in schools, including a bill that would extend a statewide ban on soft drinks from lower grades to high schools.

"This legislation is absolutely critical, not only for bringing more healthy food into our schools, but also because California is facing an obesity epidemic," the governor said at a Monday news conference.

Bob Achermann, a lobbyist for the California-Nevada Soft Drink Association, said his group would fight against expanding the soft drink ban to high schools. He argued it would not keep sodas out of teenagers' hands.

"They can bring them to school, they can get them after school," he said. "They're high school students, they're almost adults."

In 2003, California became the first state to ban the sale of soft drinks in middle and elementary schools, over the objections of the soft drink industry. Several school districts, including Los Angeles, already impose the soda ban in high schools.

Schwarzenegger also urged lawmakers to pass a bill that would only allow high schools to sell soda 30 minutes before and after the school day. During the day, schools could sell water, milk, sports drinks and drinks that are at least 50 percent fruit juice with no added sweeteners.

In addition, he is backing a proposal to update and expand nutritional standards for food sold in school vending machines and snack bars. Under the bill, food would have to meet a 35-10-35 standard, meaning no more than 35 percent of its calories could come from fat, no more than 10 percent could come from saturated fat and no more than 35 percent of its weight could be sugar.

The standards were adopted in 16 schools under a 2003 bill but were not expanded statewide because funding wasn't approved.

[Scrumhalf]

Sounds like a good idea.... sell only healthy food in schools, what a concept!

[Goosteady]

I think this sounds like a great idea. Currently I work in a summer program who has their meals done by the same company that serves all of the public schools in this area. The food is so unhealthy that I have to pack my lunch everyday. Occasionally they will serve celery or some raw carrots but that is about once every 2 weeks. No wonder this country is so fat. And the fact remains that it may not keep soda out of the hands of teenagers but it will at least force them to cut back on their intake. I mean 150 calories a 12oz. serving can really add up when you're pounding soft drinks all day long. Arnold is numero uno.

[Cory]

I blame the parents for allowing their kids to eat and drink all that shit. If they were taught good nutrition from very early on in life and not get them use to eating sugar, they would not want it. My child would not go to school without bringing a healthy lunch and some good wholesome snacks. People need to take thier families health into their own hands instead of depending on others to do it for them.

[THE BOUNCER]

Sounds like a good plan to me.

[Shibby]

Originally Posted by michael

Bob Achermann, a lobbyist for the California-Nevada Soft Drink Association, said his group would fight against expanding the soft drink ban to high schools. He argued it would not keep sodas out of teenagers' hands.

"They can bring them to school, they can get them after school," he said. "They're high school students, they're almost adults."

This guys obvioiusly fat. I think he completely missed the point on trying to cut down on the consumption of soft drinks. How often are kids feeling draged down by the day and look to a soft drink for the caffiene and sugar boost or simply drink them out of bordem.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Shibby

This guys obvioiusly fat. I think he completely missed the point on trying to cut down on the consumption of soft drinks. How often are kids feeling draged down by the day and look to a soft drink for the caffiene and sugar boost or simply drink them out of bordem.

I think he purposely missed the point because of the potential loss of $$$ that would result if such a bann took place.

[mindstar]

Sounds awesome! I already have a junk food ban in my own classroom. Constant sugar really messes kids up, it fucks with their behaviour...

[fog_hat1981]

Originally Posted by Cory

I blame the parents for allowing their kids to eat and drink all that shit. If they were taught good nutrition from very early on in life and not get them use to eating sugar, they would not want it. My child would not go to school without bringing a healthy lunch and some good wholesome snacks. People need to take thier families health into their own hands instead of depending on others to do it for them.

Right on bro - my son will learn to love healthy foods and appreciate that he was raised in a health conscious family while his friends are left in his dust