Given the choice of water or soda, too many of us opt for the soda. We know it has little in the way of nutrients and too much sugar, but it tastes better and so that's what we reach for. Not as clear-cut for many is the nutrient value of juice-type drinks, things like Tropicana Twister and Welch's fruit punch.

You see fruits on the label and figure there's juice in the container. And there may be some, usually very little, but Government Healthy Schools Coordinator Marie Beach says that like soda, these are sugary drinks.

No schools in Bermuda offer soda for sale on their grounds but many feature sugary juice-type drinks and flavoured waters. Recognising the unhealthy impact of such beverages on our bodies, the school nutrition policy clearly spells out what drinks can be sold on Island campuses.

Only plain unsweetened water and 100 percent fruit juice are allowed. The policy was introduced in September, 2006. Dellwood, Whitney Institute and Clearwater Middle schools heeded the edict straight away.

Each of the schools ensured its vending machine stocked only 100 percent fruit juice and plain unsweetened water. Over the past two years Ms Beach has been diligent in getting all schools to adhere to the policy and now she can boast that all Government schools are now on board. (See related story).

According to Mrs. Beach private schools want to meet the requirement as well.

"They are concerned with the correlation in physical health," she said. "Their teachers have seen an increase in obesity and overweight students."

Despite this, none of the private schools meet the code, although this does not include Somersfield Academy or Clara Muhammed School as they do not have any vending machines.

Mrs. Beach said she is still in consultation with Bermuda Institute, Warwick Academy, Saltus, Mount Saint Agnes and Bermuda High School for Girls (BHS).

Warwick Academy has only one vending machine. It's at the upper school next to the pool and only contains Powerade. Mrs. Beach said although the school's feeling was that students who have lost fluids through exercise might need the electrolyte replacement drink, Government health authorities have ruled that these drinks do not meet the code.

At Saltus' senior school there are two vending machines on campus. One is in the gym. Both feature sugary drinks, no water and no 100 percent fruit juice. The same is true at Mount Saint Agnes Academy. BHS has four vending machines one of which meets the code – offering plain unsweetened water and 100 percent fruit juices, but the other three according to Mrs. Beach, offer only sugary drinks.

Mrs. Beach said she's encouraged the private schools will comply. But even when all schools meet the code, she still cannot dictate to parents what to give their children to drink.

"The challenge is what students bring to school themselves or what they purchase before coming to school," she said. "At PTA meetings I beg. There's not a whole lot I can do. When it's not being heard by all students I have to wonder what the role models are doing at home.

"The Department of Health can give technical assistance but we cannot make people do it. We hope the message goes in at least one ear," she added.

Yet when parents do heed the advice there's still plenty of room for things to fall apart.

"Kids get off the bus and go to nearest gas station and grocery stores and get these drinks," Mrs. Beach pointed out. "Every school is in a neighborhood and every neighbourhood has a food place. Schools can't control that and very often neither can parents."

Mrs. Beach said because of this, local businesses also have a responsibility in the matter. Every year she meets with the Island's wholesalers and companies that prepare school lunches telling them what they should supply schools. And she's available to give advice to schools or intervene on their behalf if they have difficulty getting a vendor to adhere to the policy.

In addition, all schools can ask her to rule on the suitability of a particular product.

"Schools send a sample to me I share it with Nutrition Services and we say if it's worthy or not and why. Nutrition Services check the label," she said.

" I never independently make a decision in fact at times we also consult dental services and school nurses.

"This vending machine policy was developed based on real medical information."