Have you noticed something missing at lunch this year? No, not the seagulls! There are no more of those regular Mountain Dews or french fries that students love. Yes, it’s true. Palm Harbor University is going healthy – at least for now.

“We no longer have an A la carte line because there’s not enough food to put on the A la carte line,” Cafeteria Manager, Katie Bradford said. “We used to have big steak burgers and can’t have those anymore because they’re too high in sodium and calories.”

Although this new change may be temporary, as of now the PHU cafeteria staff are trying their best to cut out sodium and sugar in our lunches to meet the new state standards. Many of the foods that were served last year that did not meet the standards are no longer available to students.

Not only have foods in the cafeteria changed, but what’s going into the vending machines has changed as well. Caffeinated beverages are back in the machines, but they are diet beverages, and snacks now contain less sodium, sugar, and calories.

“[Diet soda] meets the requirements of the sugar and calorie guidelines…It’s about putting healthy snacks and alternatives in front of kids,” Principal, Christen Gonzalez said.

This change in diet has not necessarily been directed at high school students, but for the younger elementary and middle school children who will be able to develop healthier eating habits over time.

“Kids develop habits based on repetition, so maybe for you older kids in high school the transition may not be as noticeable, because if you can’t get something here you can just go to McDonald’s after school and get what you want,” Bradford said.

The new guidelines may not have the greatest effects on children at first, but the long term effects are intended for them to make better suited decisions regarding their diet.

“What I’m hopeful for is that the elementary school and middle school kids are going to over time be more attracted to the healthier options because that’s what’s made available to them in their schools.” Bradford said.

The changes are not about taking away french fries just because they are too high in sodium – they’re also about encouraging students to make better choices and choose to be healthier. The small and large choices we make in our lives and in our diets are what makes the difference.

“The question is not what they’re serving, but what students are choosing. Students will eat sneakers if they’re under glass,” Science teacher, Dr. Scott Applebaum said.

Dr. Applebaum believes that it’s more than just about giving kids healthier foods, but the knowledge behind why we eat what we do and how to live a better lifestyle through smarter choices and decisions.

The cheese sticks, mini pizzas, and steak burgers will surely be missed – but the unhealthy habits will not.

“It’s the eating habit, not the fat, that we most have to fear,” Applebaum said.