The Institute of Medicine released their "School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children" report earlier this week. The report recommends "increasing the amount and variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains".
In order to qualify for reimbursement from the USDA's National School Lunch Program, school lunches must provide 1/3 of the Dietary Recommended Intake (DRI) for children for the following nutrients:
- Calories
- Protein
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Iron
Calcium
There are no guidelines for dietary fiber in the current National School Lunch Program. While much has been said about the limitations and shortcomings of the National School Lunch Program - here's to hoping future guidelines will include less refined grains and an increased focus on dietary fiber.
