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To hear the french fry and potato industry tell it, the success of the school lunch program depends on the humble potato. And so, apparently, does the health of our children.

They argue that potatoes are loaded with nutrients, are low in cost and are one of the only vegetables kids will eat. To keep french fries, tater tots and the like on the daily school lunch menu, they are aggressively lobbying Congress to kill a sensible proposal by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, to limit french fries and other starchy vegetables to two servings a week with school lunches. Right now, fries are allowed every day.

As the National Potato Council claims, potatoes are a good source of fiber and potassium. The council argues that “at a time when all Americans, especially kids, are not eating enough vegetables, we should be encouraging more choices, not less.”

But it fails to point out that when kids eat vegetables with school lunch, 75 percent of the time it is french fries or another starchy vegetable. When parents tell their kids to eat their vegetables, they usually have something other than french fries in mind.

Baking fries in school is better, but even “baked” fries are usually fried in a factory before they get to school. Frying adds extra calories many kids can’t afford.

Source: Bangor Daily News | Read Full Article