In a shift toward healthier options, the kitchen recently replaced juice with freshly made flavored water, addressing concerns over high sugar content in students’ diets.
“We have a few parents complain that there was a lot of sugar per serving,” Kitchen Assistant Melany Ferrim said, who also spearheaded the transition. “We were having a hard time finding things that are sugar-free and don’t have a lot of preservatives.”
The juice machine featured options like Citrus Peach Juice Cocktail from Nestle Vitality, and contained up to 8 grams of sugar per 2 fl oz-cup. This amount is substantial, considering the World Health Organization’s recommendation of no more than 40 grams of sugar daily for teens. A single serving of this juice takes up one-fifth of a teen’s daily sugar limit, not accounting for other sources of sugar in their diet.
“We know that some students feel unhappy about this decision,” Escobar said. “We are yet to find a solution, but I’m going to work on it with [Head Chef Craig Roman], because we appreciate student voices.”
No More Juice: Do you like the low-sugar flavored water options?"
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In response to student feedback, Escobar acknowledges the need to find a balance, emphasizing the importance of student input in this process.
“The kitchen staff and health team are committed to providing both tasty and healthy drink options,” Escobar said. “This initiative is part of the School’s broader effort to offer nutritious, mostly scratch-made meals to students. The team aims to find a middle ground that satisfies all community members while upholding the school’s commitment to healthful food choices.”
