WASHINGTON—The National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program need new nutrient targets and standards for menu planning, according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM).
A new IOM report recommends school meals reflect the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Dietary Reference Intakes by limiting sodium and calories; setting nutrient targets that are higher for protein, vitamins, and minerals; and encouraging children to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The recommended targets and standards would update and improve the programs' abilities to meet children's nutritional needs and foster healthy eating habits, but will likely raise the costs of providing school meals said the committee that issued the report.
"The programs that nourish so many American schoolchildren need to reflect the latest child health and nutrition science given the extent to which dietary habits shape lifelong health," said committee chair Virginia A. Stallings, Jean A. Cortner Endowed Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "Since the school meal programs were last updated, we've gained greater understanding of children's nutritional needs and the dietary factors that contribute to obesity, heart disease, and other chronic health problems. The changes recommended in this report are needed to assure parents that schools are providing healthful, satisfying meals."
Source: “IOM recommends new nutritional requirements for school meal programs,” public release