Foods in Schools: Children With Diabetes Can Make Wise Meal Choices
- Karen Weber Cullen, DrPH, RD,
- Kristen R. Constable, MS, RD, BC-ADM and
- Melanie Konarik, MS
Complaints about the foods served at schools are often heard from students, parents, and school staff.1,2 The impression one might receive is that there are no healthful foods available in schools. In fact, parents of children with diabetes might believe that their only choice is to send lunch from home for their child to ensure that appropriate foods are consumed. One of the problems may be that parents do not understand today's school food environment. A better understanding of school meal options will assist parents and children with diabetes in making wise meal choices.
The U.S. School Meals Program
Students in public schools in the United States can choose from a wide array of foods in schools. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, which provide breakfasts and lunches in 85 and 99% of public schools, respectively.3 The original National School Lunch Program (NSLP) was initiated in 1946 as a safety net to provide healthful meals for students in need. Qualifying students can receive free or reduced-price meals, depending on family income, whereas meals are available for a fee to all students and staff. Applications for free and reduced-price meals may be completed at any time during the school year. In 2007, ~ 30 million schoolchildren ate school lunch meals each day; ~ 10 million children ate a school breakfast.3
USDA regulations require that the meal programs comply with the 1995 Dietary Guidelines. School lunches and breakfasts must provide at least one-third and one-fourth, respectively, of the 1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances4-6 for selected nutrients, averaged over five consecutive school days (Table 1). There are also regulations for the maximum amounts of total fat and saturated fat and calorie levels. NSLP meals usually consist of an entree, two servings of fruits …
