16 Gross American School Lunches That Prove We Need Change

“When my girls were younger, no choice felt more important than the quality of the food and drinks I gave them. I constantly found myself wishing there were more healthy options available for moms like me. That’s a big part of the reason why I worked so hard as First Lady to help kids and families eat better and lead healthier lives.

We made some incredible progress during those years, but today, our kids continue to face a generational health crisis. There’s a lot of work left to do.

I’ve learned that if you want to change the game on this issue, you can do a lot from the outside. But to achieve the kind of long-term change our kids deserve, you’ve also got to change the food and beverage industry itself. You’ve got to get inside.

That’s exactly what I’m doing.

I’m proud to announce the national launch of a new company called @PLEZiNutrition — and I’m thrilled to be serving as a Co-Founder and Strategic Partner. Our goal isn’t just to provide healthy drinks and snacks for kids, but to jumpstart a race to the top that will transform the entire food industry. We want to be a partner that parents can count on, lead with our values, and drive the kind of change I’ve always hoped to see.

Our first product is a drink called PLEZi for kids ages 6–12. We chose to start with a kids’ drink because, on average, kids are consuming 53 pounds of added sugar per year. And sugar-sweetened beverages are the leading source of that added sugar.

Make no mistake, water and milk are the best options for your kids. And kids shouldn’t be regularly drinking anything other than water or milk until they’re at least 5 years old. But once kids become school-aged, drinking only water and milk isn’t a reality. Nearly two-thirds of young people are consuming sugary drinks on any given day.

We simply need a better option for kids and parents. That’s why PLEZi has less sugar, less sweetness, and more nutrients like fiber and potassium than you’ll find in many drinks out there. And the best part? It tastes delicious. But this is about far more than a kids drink. It’s about building a healthier generation of children. If you’re interested in learning more, check out Plezi.com.”