Best and Worst List for School Vending Machine Snacks Released

Fatty cookies, chocolate milk, soda pop, candy and snack cakes make up the bulk of the "worst snack" list for school vending machines released September 15 by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

Topping CSPI's bad snack list were Chips Ahoy and Oreo cookies; Coca-Cola and Pepsi; Frutopia and FruitWorks fruit drinks; Keebler Club & Cheddar Sandwich Crackers; Kit Kat Big Kat, Snickers and Starburst candy; and Hostess HoHos snack cakes.

Better alternatives for school vending machines, according to CSPI, are unsweetened applesauce cups; bottled water; Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars Oats 'n Honey; 100 percent orange juice; Chex Mix Traditional; Dole or Del Monte Fruit Cups; low-fat or fat-free milk; and raisins and other unsweetened dried fruit.

CSPI also recommends that communities set nutritional standards for snacks sold outside the official school meal program, including the consideration of a potential ban on soda and limits on portion sizes, saturated and trans fat and added sugars.

"Regrettably, many of our schools are trying to bridge budget gaps at the expense of our children's health," said CSPI nutrition policy director Margo G. Wootan. "If parents organize, apply pressure and work with school-food decision makers, they will be able to worry less about what their kids are eating at school."

Other sources. CSPI