Here’s some surprisingly good news about school cafeteria fare: Only 19 percent of U.S. schools served deep-fried french fries in 2006, down from 40 percent six years earlier, according to a new study from the CDC. What’s more, the potatoes that are being served are often oven-baked and have less sodium, as companies are supplying more health-conscious food.

To make sure your child’s school has healthy options, follow this advice from Janice Newell Bissex, RD, coauthor of The Moms’ Guide to Meal Makeovers.
Check the menu. During a parent-teacher conference, stop in the lunchroom and see if the salad is fresh and if the nuggets are made of real chicken. Take a poll. If your child and his friends won’t eat broccoli, maybe they’d prefer other healthy choices like low-fat cheese or yogurt. Submit a proposal. Draw up the menu changes you’d like to see and give them to the school administration.

Your child’s health is definitely worth a visit to the principal’s office.