Fla. Schools Put Kids on South Beach Diet

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Fad diets aren't just for adults anymore.

Nearly 3,000 elementary students in Osceola County, Fla., have volunteered to be on a kid-friendly version of the low-sugar, high-grain South Beach Diet (search).

Veggie burgers and grilled chicken have replaced Sloppy Joes and high-carb cake. And forget the white bread — now it's 100 percent whole wheat.

The program's creator, Dr. Arthur Agatston (search), shies away from calling the eating plan a "diet."

"We don't want the kids to think of themselves on a diet. If children make the right food choices, their weight and their waistlines will take care of themselves," Agatston said.

Parents agree that terminology is important here.

"That word kind of scares people, I think, but on the other hand, it's all about choices," said parent Theresa Olson. "You know you have a choice between the vegetables and the fruits."

Students are being weighed at the beginning and end of the study, and are encouraged to use pedometers (search) to track how much they walk.

Of course, not all the kids are crazy about the food.

"Some people say, 'I don't like these foods, they're really gross,' and other people say, 'I like it, it was pretty good,'" said Victoria Olson, a third-grader.

The year-long program will end in May, but it may be expanded to other districts if officials find that students' weights and eating habits have improved.

Click on the video box above to see the full story by FOX News' Orlando Salinas.