Somewhere along the way, softdrink vending machines took hold in America’s (and Canada’s) schools. Now schools are trying to replace the softdrinks with healthier fare — that isn’t always healthier. From the Wall Street Journal‘s recent Health Journal:
In New York, carbonated drinks have been replaced by 100% juice versions of Snapple, which actually have more calories and grams of sugar than regular soda.Most experts agree that while sports and juice-flavored drinks may sound healthier, they are simply noncarbonated versions of sodas — often with water and high-fructose corn syrup as the first two ingredients. Even 100% juice drinks often are made with concentrates of pear, apple and grape and in the end are really just water and sugar.
Why do kids drink so many sugary drinks?
“One of the first questions a new parent will ask a pediatrician is ‘when can I start juice?’” says Robert Murray, professor of pediatrics at the Columbus Children’s Hospital and principal author of the American Academy of Pediatrics statement. “We’ve really created the habit of dealing with thirst with sweetened drinks.”
What happens when schools replace the softdrinks with healthier fare?
But schools can stock vending machines with healthier fare without losing income. When Iowa City schools added milk to vending machines, overall sales increased 42%, while soda sales dropped 58%. Vista Unified School District in San Diego limited sodas to 20% of vending slots instead of the previous 66%. The machines now offer bagels, yogurt, nuts, cheese and crackers and fresh fruit as well as water, milk and 100% juice. During the first year, Vista High School generated $200,000 more in sales than the previous year.