U.S. School Food to Get Major Changes

You remember the mashed potatoes plopped onto your tray with an ice scream scoop and endless piles of tater tots, right?

That’s the school lunch most of us know, and that’s not going to cut it anymore.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) says meals need more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less salt. Plus more skim and low-fat milk.

An IOM committee was formed to make recommendations to the government to help revise current school lunch programs.

Ultimately the IOM’s suggestions will be made into regulations, and schools will be required to adhere to them or risk not getting reimbursed for school meals.

The IOM’s major recommendations include reducing sodium in school lunches to 740 milligrams, today’s average is 1,600 milligrams; meals must contain one cup of fruit and three-quarters to one whole cup of vegetables; half of all breads and pasta should be whole grain; milk should only be skim or 1%; and meat limited to only two ounces.

But money is a major issue. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains cost more than potato flakes, churros, and cheese burgers under heat lamps.

Via HealthDay News.

Image credit: USA Today