Controversy has long surrounded the decision of many school districts to contract with the same food service companies that provide meals for inmates. Now, school officials in Los Angeles are hoping that their decision to eliminate flavored milk from the diets of students will help to change the opinions of many. While the servings are fairly small, the amount of sugar found in chocolate and strawberry milk is more than is recommended. Schools have been trying to fight childhood obesity by banning vending machines, soda and fast food chains from setting up shop in their cafeterias, but flavored milk is viewed as a staple by many pupils.
The Los Angeles School District won’t be replacing flavored milk, but it will be promoting plain milk in its place. Some parents have asked school officials to allow their children to have water in its place, but contracts with prepackaged food vendors will not allow this. As much as 1/3 of all students in Los Angeles, California, are expected to become diabetic. Foods and beverages with an excessive amount of sugar have been shown to trigger these types of diseases. A well balanced diet can help students to better concentrate on their studies, however, most schools in the US still serve flavored milk.
Superintendent John Deasy hopes that other schools will follow suit when they begin to see the positive changes that come to Los Angeles schools as a result of the decision to ban flavored milk and similar beverages. So far, students have not publicly denounced the decision.
