I was lead to believe the 'healthy lunchbox' was not greeted with that much enthusiasm by the teachers Mr Minto, as they had an extra duty, forced upon them, to become 'lunchbox archeologists' and dig around to get rid of anything that was deemed unhealthy.

Or have I got that wrong and teachers were all for the change?

You're totally right. there was no reason to remove the healthy lunch initiative. Anne Tolley is shockingly bad at her job.

I've read a lot about nutrition and the huge increase in obesity in the last few decades. Research has shown that two things work to curb overeating. The first is to devote as much television air time to promoting healthful foods as is devoted to foods high in sugar and fat. That means advertising whole foods such as vegetables and fruits. The second is to make unhealthful food less accessible. That doesn't mean selling healthful foods alongside those high in sugar and fat - people simply buy the less healthful items (think McDonalds and the small turnover of salads). Unhealthful foods must be taken off the menu in order to change eating patterns. I was very happy when the food standards were introduced to schools, and very disappointed, and a little angry, when these standards were repealed.

Interesting that the best outcomes of enforced diet are from Cuba during the blockade massive decreases in the rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes etc

Perhaps we should enforce a similar blockade in NZ .. go on John you know you want to turn NZ into the Cuba of the South seas.

This really is the lowest of the low. It is no-one's business why Anne Tolley chose this option, that's between her and her Dr. Several other MP's have also mainly for health issues. Maybe they have private health insurance and can aford it?? Parents have choices and so do the schools. They have chosen not to maintain healthy eating options; does the government have to regulate everything? Only in John Minto's ideal socialist utopia it seems. Nothing is stopping schools from continuing healthy options, some it seems have simply made the choice not to. I made a choice to reheat the pizza left overs and have that for lunch today. Tomorrow i'll make sandwiches. That is what life's about, the choices you make. I make my choices and all the advertising and government regulation won't change that one bit. The same goes for every other person in this country apart from those who don't take responsibility for their choices/actions and then blame someone else i.e. advertising or the government. you are what you eat.

I wish people would stop calling it 'stomach stapling'. You either have a gastric band, gastric bypass or gastric sleeve resection. No 'stomach stapling' has been done since the 80's.

All 3 of those ops are different and have different outcomes.

Blimey, for once I agree (to a point) John... Not with regard to selling only healthy food at schools (as I grew up on pie and chip school lunches) but in the easy option comment. I think is pretty disgusting when you choose abdominal surgery over simple food choice/portion control.

When will people learn that the fat on their bellys, thighs, wherever ALL went on through the mouth...? If you are a porker, just lay off the crap food and run (or waddle) around a bit people. It's not magic, and sadly in some poorer areas it seems to be the norm. I despair at the lifestyle of those idly stuffing snacks down gullets while lounging about, and wonder if the beneficiary system has created these poor role models, seemingly destined to repeat their poor lifetsyle choice down the generations...?

Couldn't agree more, my kids luckily go to a school where they offer healthy choices so do not have the negative affects of some other school tuck shops. I was disappointed to hear that National had decided not to go ahead with the changes that Labour had begun. Not only does the sale of junk food during school hours contribute to disruptive behaviour among some children it also encourages children to make unhealthy food choices even when their parents are making the right ones. I have seen the food that some schools offer kids from tuck shops and it has shocked me. Much of that food I consider to be treat food and only suitable for birthday parties etc. The food often sold in tuck shops also contradicts what teachers try to teach their students within class hours about nutrition and exercise and must be very frustrating for them also.

Regardless of whether the teachers greeted the healthy lunchbox with enthusiasm or not, it was for the benefit of the kids. Its the kids that will suffer not only in the short term from the junk thats available but also the in the long term when they will be knocking on Anne Tolley's door asking for a tummy operation too!

Come on!

Another column full of hard-left dribble from the king of ideology, Mr Rent-a-protest.