Michelle Obama, stirring up drama

“Thanks, Obama” was one of the first  popular memes to make its course on the world wide inter web. Due to Michelle Obama’s increase in school food regulations, the phrase has been heard more at West High, not referring to our president, but to his wife.

The Healthy Kids act is a regulation that is affecting schools all across the nation. When first introduced by Michelle Obama, people didn’t know how to react, so it wasn’t required for every state. Most states took up a certain form of the Healthy Kids act, with Iowa implementing the Smart Snacks in School Regulation.

The Smart Snacks In School Regulation is a way to give students a safe and healthy environment. The reason for these regulations was a rise in food allergies and childhood obesity. These concerns were the reason the schools decided to change the wellness policy, and add guidelines for the classroom. Homemade snacks are no longer allowed. The new snacks have to be zero fat, low sugar, low sodium, high fiber, whole grain and require a nutrition facts label. The Smart Snacks in School Regulations is currently affecting West High in many ways. Teachers are no longer allowed to bring in snacks that are homemade. Also they have to follow a strict guideline on what foods they can purchase and bring in.

“It doesn’t affect me as much as the students, but we can’t bring cookies to meetings anymore, and I used to give out treats in class or advisory to be nice,” said Social Studies teacher Stacey Strief. She also commented on how the removal of vending machines and the limitations on food options, has caused a rise in complaints from the students.

At Weber Elementary, students are no longer allowed to bring treats for their birthdays, and their Before and After School Program has started paying more attention to serving size. “For the most part, it’s always been really healthy,” said Andrea Bastien, who is employed there as a BASP staff member. “We try to do trail mix and stuff, and we stick to serving sizes.”

Antonio Clipperton ‘17, who works at the Pump It Up coffee shop at West, said that while the food alternatives are healthier, they aren’t as good, which has caused the amount of sales to go down. The coffee shop is not allowed to sell the beloved ice coffee that so many students remember, but the shop is working on finding an alternative.
Most students seem to be opposed to the Healthy Kids Act, but many of the teachers and coffee shop employees don’t seem to mind the new regulations.