should we ban salads too?

After all, salad dressing is loaded with fat and salt so therefore an entire salad meal should be bad for us. "Ridiculous," any nutritionist would say. Likewise, a dash of Nesquick or Ovaltine doesn't take away any of the nutrients or protein in a glass of milk.

Throughout middle school and high school I ate a greasy chocolate chip cookie, a bag of raw mushrooms, and 2 pints of chocolate milk for lunch. Guess which item was brought from home?

Lately the school district of Chicago has decreed that their food is somewhat superior to mom-made meals and has banned brown bagged lunches. Other schools have warned local shops not to sell snacks to kids. Having never had children in government schools, it was news to me that the standard lunch of pb & j is not allowed due to allergies and homemade treats for birthdays or class parties are refused as well. Between the cost and quality of institutional food, I'm glad we homeschool and we have the added benefit of not having a cafeteria lady glaring at us for spooning a little chocolate syrup into our glasses. 

School lunches and childhood nutrition have been the subject of much debate in recent
years, prompting heated arguments over whether or not governments and schools
should regulate what children are allowed to eat. Last year, some schools across
the country banned chocolate milk, saying that it was too high in sugar and fat, and that healthier, lower calorie
alternatives should be substituted. The move was applauded by some, but
protested by others.

The Washington Post reports the 2009 chocolate milk ban in
Fairfax County, Va. sparked outrage from parents who felt that the calcium-rich
beverage shouldn't be outlawed. Responding to months of calls
and emails, district officials have announced they will reintroduce chocolate
milk in local cafeterias. Huffington Post