School "Nutritional Standards"

It's a new school year and, as always, the school sends home a ton of paperwork for parents to read and/or sign. This year, one of these papers was a list of "some snacks, items that meet nutritinal (sic) standards". Unfortunately, these "standards" are worse than the spelling, considering the junk that's listed.

Here's a sample:
Snacks
- Teddy Grahams (loaded with HFCS, PHVO, bleached flour, and artificial flavors)
   *Alternative: Annie's Bunny Grahams
- Frito Lay Baked Snacks (Varies according to actual product: PVHO, artificial flavors and colors)
   *Best Bet: Tostito's Baked Tortilla Chips
- Mrs Goodcookie Cookies (Can't find ingredient lists for any of these, but listed is "ICEE Character Cookies"...ummmm ick!)
    *Alternative: Homemade cookies!
- Kellogg's Raisin Bran Crunch Bar (Artificial flavors, BHT preservative)
    *Alternative: Cascadian Farms Oatmeal Raisin Bars
Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs (Varies according to product: HFCS, artificial flavors)
   * Best Bet: Wheat Thins Mini Crisps 100 Calorie Pack

Coke Products
- PowerAde Option: (This is actually no longer available and has been replaced by PowerAde ZERO which contains sucralose (a.k.a Splenda) and artificial colors)
   *Alternatives: One Ten Hydrade, Kul Fuel, Recharge, TREK

Another downside to this list is that it places emphasis on low- and non-fat items. While this can be okay in some cases, it is not advised to go overboard on these items. Whole milk and full-fat cheese contain nutrients and good fat that are stripped from the low- and non-fat versions.

Overall, I'd probably mark off about half of the items on this list. There are, admittedly, some good choices on there such as fresh fruit and veggies, milk, yogurt, cheese, and water. But at least half are processed foods that contain questionable ingredients. But don't even get me started on the crap they serve at her after-school care. They have soda and candy bar vending machines for crying out loud! For awhile, I was the "mean mommy" that wouldn't give her money for the snack machines, but now I make sure to pack plenty of healthy snacks that she likes so she won't be tempted by the machines. Thankfully, she's gotten to the point where she doesn't want most of what's in there anymore. And if she does manage to get her hands on a couple of quarters to use, she usually goes for the lesser of the evils like crackers. Yay!