Lawmakers and schools have a choice, delivered to them by Rep. Margaret Craven.

They can continue to peddle foods and drinks loaded with sugar to kids as a way to raise money, push students to eat quickly and schedule the school day so there’s no time for physical activity.

Or they can find solutions to the problems created by the proposed stricter rules for school menus and health education.

It should be an easy call. Improving the health of kids should win out.

L.D. 796 would require public schools to serve healthier foods and limit the amount of fat and sugar they contain. It would also mandate physical and nutrition education and exercise, limit advertising aimed at kids and end the use of food as a reward.

Testifying about the bill during the April 15 work session, Michael Sanborn, director of the School Nutrition Programs for the Lewiston School Department, said that the new requirements would cost the system 11 jobs because of reduced food sales, and that about 70 percent of the food currently served would have to be removed from the menu.

It’s a startling admission. Schools shouldn’t balance their books by selling unhealthy foods to captive audiences, and they shouldn’t raise money by encouraging kids to eat or drink things that are bad for them. And, if 70 percent of the school menu fails to meet healthy standards, that’s an indictment of current practices.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its updated food pyramid Tuesday. It includes guidelines for healthy diets and physical activity, recommending at least an hour a day for children and teens.

Maine’s kids are struggling with obesity. According to Dr. Robert Holmberg of the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who testified last week, 36 percent of kindergartners enter school obese or overweight. Schools play an important role in promoting good health and nutrition.

There are problems in L.D. 796. The possible prohibition on television advertising aimed at children raises significant constitutional concerns, and the bill may try to accomplish too much all at once. For example, concessions at after-school events should not be forced to meet the same requirements as the lunch program.

Requiring that students get 20 minutes to eat, increasing exercise time and mandating healthy school menus, however, is a good place to start. With a few amendments, L.D. 796 could improve public education in Maine.