Empty Calories in the School Cafeteria

Q:  My kids buy their lunches at school and have access to all kinds of soft drinks. I recently heard a dentist talk about the risks of tooth decay and some of those same beverages. I’d like some suggestions on what’s best for my children.

A:  Any refined sugars that we consume are broken down by naturally present bacteria in our moths yielding acidic byproducts that hasten tooth decay. Beverages with citric acid as a flavoring additive intensify the degree of acidity and accelerate the process.

Since this is a concern for you, I’d suggest that you either visit your child’s cafeteria during the lunch hour and take an inventory of the beverages available or call the individual in charge of food services. Depending on the age of your children and your ability to influence their behavior, explain to them your concerns (and remember that they’ll be watching the choices you make) and give them a healthy selection from which they might choose. Water and skim milk (not chocolate) are probably two of the safest but admittedly boring choices. Ask to speak to the school dietician for other healthier options.

While we’re on the subject:
A recent study published in the journal Lancet showed that an extra soft drink per day gives a child a 60% greater chance of becoming obese. This link was independent of the food they eat, how much television they watch, and the amount of exercise.

The prevalence of obesity among children in the US increased by 100% between 1980 and 1994.

We also now know that there is a strong link between obesity and the development of diabetes.

Half of all Americans and most adolescents consume soft drinks daily with most of these being regular and not diet drinks.

I’d encourage all parents who are concerned about their child’s weight to honestly and compassionately discuss this with your family doctor and make whatever plans necessary to ensure their health both now and for the future.

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