More Schools Ban Cupcakes

Holiday parties in classrooms around Chicago won't be covered with red and green sprinkles this year, the Chicago Tribune reports. More and more schools are banning cupcakes in favor of "healthy" things like fruit skewers fashioned into reindeer antlers. It's part of a national trend to make special-occasion snacks consistent with the healthy-eating message and more nutritious school lunches.

The driving force behind the bans is concern about the nation's obesity epidemic, but widespread food allergies have also helped fuel classroom restrictions. "We know three parties a year won't make or break a child's nutrition status, but we're trying to be consistent and safe," said a nurse. (More classroom stories.)