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National School Lunch Program (NSLP) regulations implemented in 2012 (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Nov 18 2009) set calorie ranges; increased servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; reduced milk fat content; and instituted a gradual reduction in sodium content. Schools must meet these standards for meals to be reimbursed under the program. As for lunch from home, previous studies suggest poor nutritional quality.
Researchers examined lunches brought from home by 242 elementary-school and 95 middle-school students in a Houston-area school district in 2011. Students bringing their lunch ate 70% to100% of the various items and nutrients they contained. Compared with NSLP lunches, home lunches had:
Significantly more sodium (1000–1100 mg…