The U.S. Agriculture Department is proposing new nutritional rules that would apply to most all food items sold in schools. The rule would apply to "a la carte" lines in school cafeterias plus vending machines, snack bars and any other food sold regularly on campus.
It would not apply to fundraisers, after-school concession stands, class parties or foods brought from home.
Most every food sold in school would be subject to fat, calorie, sugar and sodium limits. Snack foods would have to have fewer than 200 calories and have some nutritional value. All drinks would be limited to 12 ounce portions in high schools and middle schools, and 8 ounce portions in elementary schools.
Here are some examples of what could be in and out under the rules, provided the items meet or don't meet all of the requirements:
WHAT'S IN
Baked potato chips
Granola bars
Cereal bars
Trail mix
Dried fruits
Fruit cups
Yogurt
Whole grain-rich muffins
100 percent juice drinks
Diet soda at high schools
Flavored water at high schools
Lower-calorie sports drinks at high schools
Unsweetened or diet iced teas at high schools
100% juice popsicles
Baked lower-fat French fries
Healthier pizzas with whole grain crust
Lean hamburgers with whole wheat buns
WHAT'S OUT
Candy
Snack cakes
Most cookies
Pretzels
High calorie sodas
Many high-calorie sports drinks
Juice drinks that are not 100% juice
Most ice cream and ice cream treats
Greasy pizza and other fried, high-fat foods in the lunchroom