The New York Times reported today that school cafeterias across the country are going on a diet:

As students return to school this week, some are finding unusual entries on the list of class rules: fewer fried foods, smaller servings and no cupcakes. School districts across the country have been taking steps to make food in schools healthier because of new federal guidelines and awareness that a growing number of children are overweight.

In California, deep fryers have been banned, so chicken nuggets and fries are now baked. Sweet tea is off the menu in one Alabama school. In New Jersey, 20-ounce sports drinks have been cut back to 12 ounces.

Overall, schools report that the changes are being met with fanfare from health officials and shrugs (but not disgust) from students. Some of the changes, however, have parents up in arms:

…some parents say that by cracking down on cupcakes in the classroom to celebrate birthdays and Halloween, school officials have crossed a line….

“I remember growing up and a birthday party was a big deal when you got to bring a treat,” said Amy Joswick, who has two children in elementary school in Old Bridge, N.J., where cupcakes are not allowed at birthday parties. “I don’t agree with it because as a whole, parents should be monitoring what they are eating. It should start at home.”

I applaud the efforts schools are making to serve healthier foods in smaller portions - but think that taking away the school bake sale or birthday treats also results in a loss of important community-building moments.

Parents don’t have to send their kids to class with sugar-crusted Dunkin Donut holes or preservative-filled Hostess Snack cakes…homemade goodies or healthier storebought treats like Newman’s Own organic snack foods do the trick without the extra health baggage. But as the former 4-year old who brought in fresh veggies and spinach dip on snack day only to have all the other preschoolers snub me (my teacher and I were literally the only people who ate them - it was rather horrifying!) - I can tell you that carrot sticks do not build kid community.

What do you think?

To read the whole article, click here.