Schools in California and New Mexico will not tolerate Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in their cafeterias any more. They’ve pulled the popular snack out of its schools due to the high fat and salt content.
One small bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos contains 26 grams of fat, and 1/4 of the amount of the recommended daily salt intake.
California and New Mexico are following the pace of other schools as well. A school district in Illinois pulled the snacks off their menus as well. In one year, it sold 150,000 bags of the cheesy hot snacks. “If children were to bring in snacks that are high in fat, high in calories, that’s their choice,” Rockford School District Interim Superintendent Robert Willis said.
“We’re not going to be providing those kinds of foods.” In response to the schools Frito Lay said, it is “committed to responsible and ethical practices, which includes not marketing our products to children ages 12 and under.”
According to clinical psychologist, Ashley Gearhardt, the brain finds things like fat and salt rewarding, therefore the snacks can turn into an addiction. Apparently so addictive that a group of kids decided to make a video about them.
Hot Cheetos and Takis became an internet sensation, but of course it’s not exactly a good message to send kids. Maybe parents should be more aware of what their children are consuming, and aiding in the school’s efforts to keep unhealthy snacks off its menus.
I’ve worked with kids off and on for the past 10 years and never could understand how hot cheetos could be their breakfast! Ridiculous and unhealthy even for those that have little to no income. There’s a better choices all around but kids LOVE hot cheetos!