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Senate Says Yes To Spuds In School Lunch

The Senate voted to keep vegetables in school lunches without limits Tuesday.

Wait, parents: before you breathe a collective sigh of relief, understand what "veggies" means in different schools.

The Obama administration set out to limit potatoes and starchy vegetables to two servings a week -- in other words, french fries and tater tots are a "sometimes" item.

Although the legislation was an effort to fight obesity, it wasn't met with smiles.

Some argued limiting starchy vegetables would mean limits on corn and peas as well as potatoes, while others were offended that potatoes got a bad rap.

"Potatoes have more potassium than bananas. They are cholesterol-free and low in fat and sodium and can be served in countless healthy ways," Senator Susan Collins says.

Even Stephen Colbert joined in the chorus of spud-loving former children, crying tater tots were akin to "kid Xanax."

Are you cheering the victory for potatoes? Or are you thinking it's time to pack lunch?

Read More:

  • School Lunch Potato Fight Gets The Colbert Treatment (NPR)
  • Senate Saves the Potato on School Lunch Menus (New York Times)
  • Protecting the Potato (Slate)