By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Alabama public school students could be finding fewer unhealthy drink choices when they return to school next year.
The state board of education is expected to decide this week about restricting the types of beverages offered to students in vending machines at their schools.
If approved, the new guidelines would mean no full-calorie carbonated drinks would be sold in any school.
High school students would be allowed carbonated drinks, but those beverages would be the diet versions, with no more than 25 calories per can or bottle.
Students also would have access to bottled water, low-fat or no-fat milk and unsweetened fruit juice. The caloric content of those drinks would depend on the age group.
State Education spokesman Michael Sibley said schools are following the current guidelines, which were implemented in 2005.
Carbonated drinks are banned in elementary schools, but high school and middle school students are allowed to have a mixture of diet and regular sodas.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)