Many young people acknowledge that eating too much junk food is not good for their health. They realize that soda, chips, and candy have little nutritional value. They know that these foods have too much sugar, salt, fat, and refined starches. But these foods taste really good! It’s tempting to eat junk food when it is easy to access and less expensive than many healthier foods. 

Some people argue that it is wrong for schools to sell junk food knowing that it can have negative health effects. There are some kinds of fats that are good for the body (unsaturated fats), and some that are bad for the body (trans and saturated fats). Junk foods are often high in trans and saturated fats. These bad fats can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, among other health problems. Diabetes is a disease that makes it harder for the body to properly transport the energy from food to the rest of the body. People with type 2 diabetes have a greater risk for conditions such as heart disease and kidney disease. Since highly-processed junk foods have become more common, there has been a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes among youth. 

People who oppose selling junk food in school argue that if it is easy to buy an unhealthy snack or drink at school, students are likely to eat more of it. These people argue that schools have a responsibility to help kids be healthy. They think schools should only sell nutritious foods. Some adults have even started health initiatives to make the food in schools more nutritious.

Other people, however, argue that schools should continue to incorporate unhealthy snacks in vending machines and cafeterias. They say that students should have a choice about what they eat and drink. They point out that, in small amounts, an occasional bag of chips or candy bar is not a big deal. Selling snacks also generates money for schools, and it’s easy. Since most junk foods are highly processed, they last a long time and don’t need to be refrigerated. Some adults also argue that kids will just buy junk food at stores if they cannot buy it in schools, so it won’t make a difference. Plus, nutritious foods are often more expensive. Having only nutritious food options may make lunches and snacks too expensive for students and families, as well as taking away a source of pleasure for students. 

What do you think? Should schools sell unhealthy snacks if students want them and if it raises money for the school? Or do they have a responsibility to promote healthy eating?