Doctors Give Tips on Healthy Eating at School

A little sugar and fat is OK in kids’ diets if it can encourage them to consume nutritious foods, a large group of doctors for children says. Examples might include chocolate low-fat milk or ranch dressing as a dip for vegetables. The new statement comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It summarizes recent changes in U.S. standards for school meals. And it focuses attention on the foods schools don’t serve — lunches brought from home, party snacks and fundraisers. The foundation of children’s diets should be vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy and healthy proteins, the statement says. When possible, foods should be whole or processed as little as possible. Sugar, fat or salt can sometimes help to make sure the kids eat and enjoy these healthy foods.