TSC: Pizza is not a veggie for our kids

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Under re-evaluated guidelines from the Federal Government things like pizza and french fries will count towards a child's veggie intake.

For many pizza lovers, it's a dream come true, Congress has declared that the two tablespoons of the tomato paste found on a slice of pizza is equivalent to a serving of veggies. Meaning pizza remains part of your child's healthy school lunch options. But even those closest to the pie-making process are skeptical about the health effects of eating pizza daily.

"Well, the food groups are there, whether or not pizza is bad for you. As a heart patient, I am not supposed to be eating a lot of pizza, but it seems like these days everything we like is no good for you," said Jay Mitchell, owner of Buck Creek Pizza in Dayton.

Lori Shofroth is responsible for creating healthy menus for the children in the Tippecanoe County School Corporation. She feels, in moderation, pizza can have a place on the lunch tray, but it certainly doesn't constitute a daily veggie serving.

"They want you to have 646 calories in a child's lunch menu, so how many calories does celery sticks and carrot sticks and that have? So you do have to have something of nutritional value calorie-wise in there," said Shofroth.

The new guidelines are all part of a nutritional re-authorization plan that congress was tasked with approving.
The USDA offered guidance to legislators, but for the most part, they were ignored. Shofroth, and others, believe some lawmakers may have been swayed by the large amount of money given in support of the bill from groups like the American Frozen Food Institute and the National Potato Council.

"Things get written in. Then you have the lobbyist, which are the potato people, you know they tend to lose a lot if potatoes are taken off the menu," said Shofroth.

Shofroth said TSC schools do limit menu items like french fries, or pizza to once a week, if those things are offered at all. It's all in an effort, she said, to keep kids eating healthy, balanced diets.