Require Dairy Alternatives in School Lunch Programs
For kids, a big part of their nutrition comes from school lunches. But when they go to their cafeterias, they're immediately served a food linked to high cholesterol, obesity, cancer, infertility, arthritis and diabetes.
Cows' milk is the largest source of artery-clogging saturated fats in children's diets, causes over half the cases of juvenile iron deficiency anemia and is the #1 allergic food in the country.
In the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, Congress ordered the USDA to update meal guidelines. However, in 2008, schools still regularly served high-fat, high-cholesterol foods.
Healthy, low-fat, calcium-rich alternatives to cows' milk include non-dairy milks, like fortified soymilk, dark leafy green vegetables and beans.
The Child Nutrition Act will be reauthorized in 2010. Tell Congress the National School Lunch Program should be required to include non-dairy alternatives to cows' milk and milk products to improve the health of America's children.
Subject: Include alternatives to dairy in school lunches in the 2010 Child Nutrition Act
Dear
[Decision Maker]:
Cows' milk is the largest source of artery-clogging fats in children's diets and causes over half the cases of juvenile iron deficiency anemia. Consumption of dairy is linked to preventable health problems such as high cholesterol, obesity, cancer, infertility, arthritis, and diabetes. In addition, cows' milk is the #1 allergic food in the country.
America's school children need a healthy alternative to cows' milk and milk products. In the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act 2004, little improvements were enforced to offer more low-fat, low-cholesterol options in school meals.
Healthy, low-fat, calcium-rich alternatives to cows' milk include non-dairy milks, like fortified soymilk, dark leafy green vegetables and beans.
[Your comments will be added here.]
In the 2010 reauthorization, I urge you to require the National School Lunch Program to offer non-dairy food and beverage options to improve the health of America's children.
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