Last week major soft drink companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo Inc. aggreed to stop selling soda in schools! They came to this decision through encouragement from ‘The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’. ‘The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’ is a joint venture of The American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation and was formed in 2005.

The goal of The Alliance is to reduce childhood obesity. Their four main targets are Industry, Schools, Healthcare Professionals and Children.

The new guidelines are as follows:

Elementary schools - 8 oz servings only to be sold - only unsweetened juice, low or non fat milk and water.

Middle schools - 10 oz size drinks will be allowed, otherwise the same as Elementary schools.

High schools - 12 oz sizes will be allowed. In addition to the unsweetened juice, low and non fat milk and water, they will also sell diet sodas, unsweetened tea, low calorie sports drinks, flavoured water and seltzers.

This is a great step in the right direction! Of course kids may still be drinking stuff with too much sugar at home, but this at least reduces the amount they will get. Plus, schools really should be setting a better example of healthier eating.

For more information see the Clinton Foundation web site and the The Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

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