Plenty of sugary beverages in high schools

Don't miss this eye-opening article by Andrew Martin in The NY Times on beverage choices in school vending machines -- they're not as healthy as you think. Last year, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Cadbury Schweppes voluntarily agreed to sell only water, low-fat milk and 100 percent juices in elementary/middle schools. Additionally, sports drinks, light juices and diet sodas would also be sold in high schools. 50 percent of the high school beverages must be water or have 10 calories or less per eight ounces. The big three beverage companies reaped a slew of positive press. Sugary soda was out -- focus on kid nutrition was in.

But last April, after the deal was done, the beverage triangle quietly sought a change to the agreement. Originally, sports drinks and light juices with no more than 66 calories per eight ounces were allowed. Now sports drinks and light juices have been replaced by the term "other drinks."

If the calorie guidelines remain the same, who cares, right? Well, think about it. Vitaminwater and Propel, enhanced with sugar and vitamins, fit the "other drinks" criteria. They are also HUGE sellers for Big Beverages and all the rage with teenagers. Now teens get a chance to push the vending button on the choice they really crave, which is a mid-calorie beverage still containing sugar.

Sure, soda is out of school vending. That's terrific. But are popular mid-calorie beverages the answer to sound nutrition in schools?