The exclusion of tasty snacks and soda has been a recent rant among many students would enjoy In N Out or Taco Bell at school, but a head-start on new food regulations has turned that far-fetched dream

into an ultimate unreality.

The Elk Grove Unified School Distict (EGUSD) has decided to implement these new policies a full year earlier than the rest of the high schools The EGUSD has set nutritional standards to eliminate junk food and soda in July 2006.

In addition, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two bills for California on nutrition that will take place by July 2007. The first bill prohibits selling sodas and snacks at all public schools during school and 30 minutes before and after school. The second bill forbids selling snack items at public schools containing 35 percent of calories from fat, along with 10 percent of calories coming from saturated fat.

Also, the state law banned foods with 35 percent sugar by weight, with the exception of fruits and vegetables. Individual food items in elementary schools shall contain no more than 175 calories and 250 in middle and high schools.

That sums up most of the food that was previously sold on campus. However, the student store cabinets were not left completely bare, with the addition of Powerade, water, Clif Bars, Clif Z Bars, Nutrigrain bars, granola bars, Sunchips, Baked Lays,

Munchies, and Pretzel Poppers.

Most of the food in the cafeteria has remained the same, except for the reduced amount of calories and sugar in some items, and many students still choose to buy lunch. Junior Britny Benson said that the new food here is “a lot better. I like healthy food; people need to stop eating so much junk.”

Obesity is an epidemic in America, especially among children and teens, so it was about time for Schwarzenegger to take action by signing those bills. Research has also shown that students who are physically fit and eat healthier have higher test scores in school. So it’s no surprise that Pepsi and Cheetos have been replaced with fruit juice and trail mix for health and academic purposes.

Despite what people opposing the new food may think, there are benefits to the healthy additions. The district governing board hopes to reduce the obesity rate among kids and promote a healthier lifestyle, according to the Wellness Policy provided by Delois Davis- McDuffie, Director of Food and Nutrition Services Administration, EGUSD.

Still, students are complaining that their favorite snacks are being banned from school vending machines and student stores. Some favor high calorie food rather than the healthy alternatives, and others feel like the government shouldn’t force health habits from us.

“Banning soda and junk will only make us want to drink more soda outside of school since we are out of

supply,” said senior Jacob Lilly.

Lilly also feels victimized because of everyone’s lack of control when it comes to kids abusing their food choices.

Other kids believe that without the snacks, our school will no longer be able to make good money.

“I disagree with soda being taken away because it makes a good profit for the school,” said senior Darnell Armstead.

“My view is that [the food is] bad. No one likes health food,” said junior Joey Ponce. A lot of students would concur, saying that the old food should be returned.

“It’s nasty. We don’t have a big selection,”said junior Alicia Chavez. All she asks is that the chips and soda be returned, though she does enjoy the salad that is offered. Junior Robert Washington thinks that the old food should be returned as well, especially in the student store.

“I don’t like it. First of all, it takes too long. It’s all healthy and they probably lose a lot of money now,”

said Washington.

While all the students oppose this

sudden change, teachers and staff members are more likely to agree with it. This is because adults are

more aware of their physical health and want to avoid medical problems in the long run, which occur when

aging.

“This puts everyone in a position where we’re forced to have a good meal and make the right decisions about it,” said business teacher Jerold Ash.

Ash believes that aside from taking out food from school, health teachers should also enforce the nutrition unit being taught to students. He also says that every student should be active physically and mentally with their academics and extra-curricular activities.

Some believe that students should be responsible for making their own food choices, not forced by the school. After all, Franklin’s Expected Schoolwide Learning Results state that the school will prepare healthy individuals that practice nutritional health.

“I think they should leave the other food on campus,” said chemistry and physics teacher Allan Curtis. “We should teach you to pick well.” Ponce agrees with Curtis saying, “It’s self-control.”

Although the new food is beneficial, some students no longer continue to eat lunch from school.

Curtis believes that students will probably still eat some of the junk food that was previously available by either bringing it from home or buying it somewhere outside of school.

“We don’t want a bunch of starving students,” said Curtis.

Not all students are going to switch from candy bars to rice cakes right away, but changing food and drink items on vending machines and student stores are a good start to improved health.

“You guys are going to eat what you like to eat,”, said Ash. “But it does encourage students to eat and do the right thing.”