Louisiana Schools Ban Candy Bars, Enforce Strict Snack Rules For Student Health

School lunch programs have been evolving over the past decade to make sure children get healthy meals. Some of the changes have been positive while others don’t get rave reviews. But many folks don’t know about the strict snack rules in Louisiana schools.

What Is the Current Policy on Food in Louisiana Schools

School breakfast and lunch programs must meet federal nutritional requirements, providing a balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or skim dairy.

The guidelines also require that students must have “at least 10 minutes to eat breakfast and 20 minutes for lunch (preferably 30 minutes). Free drinking water must be available during mealtimes.”

SEE THE NEW EXERCISE RULES COMING FOR LOUISIANA SCHOOLS

What Are the Rules for Snacks in Louisiana Schools

This push for healthier foods in our schools began back in 2005. Legislation passed restricting what snack items could be sold at schools.

In 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) put a new policy in place called "Smart Snacks in Schools". Louisiana went a step further to make sure we put student health is a top priority.

All food and beverages sold outside of traditional school meal programs in public elementary or secondary schools must strictly adhere to federal USDA guidelines.

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To get approved, food and beverage items must meet tough standards including:

• Calorie Limits: Individual items must contain 200 calories or less per serving.
• Fat Content: Total calories from fat must not exceed 35%, while calories from saturated fat must be kept at 10% or lower. Trans fats must be strictly avoided.
• Sugar Restrictions: The weight of total sugars must account for less than 35% of the total serving size weight.
• Sodium Thresholds: Each serving must contain 200 milligrams of sodium or less.
• Whole Grains: Any grain-based product must be composed of whole grains.

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What Snacks and Drinks Are Not Allowed in Louisiana Schools

Because of the 200 calorie limit, the following popular candy bars are not allowed in school vending machines:

• Snickers (Standard Bar, 1.86 oz): ~280 calories
• Twix (Standard 2-cookie bar): ~250–280 calories
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (Standard 2-pack): ~210–220 calories
• Kit Kat (Standard 4-finger bar): ~210–220 calories
• Milky Way (Standard bar): ~240 calories
• M&M's (Standard 1.69 oz milk chocolate bag): ~240 calories

Packaged Snacks & Bars Over 200 Calories

• Clif Bar (Chocolate Chip or standard flavors, 2.4 oz): ~250 calories per bar
• Nature Valley Bars (Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate): ~200–210 calories per bar
• Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls (2 rolls): ~270 calories
• Trail Mix (Standard ½ cup serving): ~350 calories
• Potato Chips (Standard 2 oz / 56g small bag): ~300–320 calories

These are just a few of the examples. Many others are not allowed in schools.

What about school clubs that raise money by selling snacks? Is that allowed in Louisiana schools? The law says these strict nutritional limits apply during the school day which extends until 30 minutes after the final bell. But after that, clubs are allowed to sell snacks with no restrictions.

What Are the Drink Restrictions in Louisiana Schools?

Regular full-calorie, sugary sodas are entirely banned from Louisiana schools for students to buy. But teachers lounges can have vending machines with regular sodas. Teachers lounges are exempt from the rules.