How do you feel about Soda machines in schools?  

Hi, you're absolutely right in what you say. In England they've now started removing all the vending machines selling fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolates. They've also overhauled the lunch menus and started offering healthier food (less fast food and fried junk). The early reports are that concentration levels are up and behaviour is improved (obviously the most significant area of improvement would be in those that have attention deficit disorders like ADHD that are adversely affected by e-numbers and high sugar intake). It's refreshing to hear someone your age with such sensible views about food and nutrition - well done!

I was just thinking how terrible it was for a school to have a machine like that when I remembered that there was one in my secondary school, in fact me and my friends had worked out a way to get free coke out of it so I probably drank far more than I normally would have done.
Its great that you can get free fruit.

I agree with you Ashley. Children have enough exposure to sweets and sodas outside of school...they don't need to have it in school where it's hard enough for them to concentrate and sit still as it is. One more fact about soda...even the diet soda has acids in it that rots the teeth. Our dentist said it's the #1 cause of tooth decay.
I have to say that I'm very impressed to see a 16 year old who is so concerned with this issue. It's the "Ashleys" of the world today who will make a better life for the children of tomorrow! :)

I agree with you. Soda machines should be banned, primarily for health reasons, but also because they create just one more reason for some people who come from poorer economic backgrounds to feel left out, or looked down on. They see most of the other kids running around the halls nursing a soda at lunch time or during breaks and they know that they will never be able to afford that 50 cents or 75 cents to buy one of their own. Sad but true.

I think this is a really bad idea to have them in schools , we try and get our kids to have water and then they go to school and by soda , this is not a healthy option xx

i think high school age kids should be allowed to have soda or juice machines in school.. when i was in high school (25 years ago)-we had one in the cafeteria. we could get soda at lunch, or after school., for when we had sports or something to do. it was nice. i don't think they just let them at the machines the whole day. Some people cannot drink milk.

I agree with you. I am just learning about soda and what it does to the body. My mother has been harping on all of us about the dangers of soda and our bones for a long time now. I am a believer now, I am 48 and my bones and my body feel like 98 most days. I hurt all the time. She is 75 and gets around very well. I think they should teach more about nutrition in schools in the health class. Not just about carbs and fat, but about what the environment & additives are doing to our bodies and how to keep healthy for a longer period of time. This is a great discussion. I'd rather see fruit juice machines instead of soda machines anyday.

have you seen "super size me" ?? very interesting documental and i think kids need healthy food instead of all those junk

No. When I was in High School we don't have soda vending machines. Even our canteen doesn't sell sodas. It's really good because they care about the health of the kids.

I dont feel that there is anything necessarily wrong with having soda machines in schools. I think it is the responsibility of the parents to keep kids in shape and good health as far as obesity goes. I think that having soda machines in schools is actually quite a good idea, since it raises funds for the school which can better your childs education. If you dont want an obese child, limit his or her intake on fatty junk foods and promote excercise. I have 6 Soda machines in my school, and not all of them contain strictly soda products. I think if you combine pops with other drinks such as juices, you'll find that lots of kids prefer something different, since there is such an abundance of soda.

But ideally, I think that it is up to parents and mature students to realize how much is too much.