Teacher says Pop Tarts are not a healthy snack
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »ummijaaz560 wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »ummijaaz560 wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »ummijaaz560 wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »ummijaaz560 wrote: »I think I'm more disturbed by the fact that he's been sitting there hungry and afraid to be judged for not eating healthy food.
Who wants their child to be afraid to eat and go hungry? This is how food disorders begin.
But if he took something within the rules he wouldn't be afraid or hungry, correct? It seems like you are perpetuating the problem rather than solving it.
How am I perpetuating the problem?
I just wrote verbatim what was said along the snack and lunch guidelines, ie what to send.
I also am not nor have I dug my heels about it?
What rules have I decided not to follow and decided to "let him be afraid or hungry?
I have no problem with following the guidelines. But dictating that an occasional snack item is "unhealthy" is not what I want my child taught.
This is why folks come on the forums thinking you must eat "clean" to lose weight.
You are perpetuating the problem by continuing to send pop-tarts when the teacher asked you not to. You said your child feels afraid to bring out his snack and eat it. If you continue to send a snack that makes him feel that way, then you are the one putting your child in that position. You can teach him your nutritional views at home.
What part of I just found out yesterday he wasn't eating did you not understand?
You keep saying the teacher asked me not to send them?
No, she has not asked me anything.
Thats the problem, no one has said anything to me about what exactly is the ideal snack before hand.
If they had a definitive list of not allowed snacks he wouldn't have been allowed to take it.
I dont have a problem with following the rules.
I have a problem with them classifying said food as unhealthy, when in moderation it's fine.
Trying to indoctrinate my child with "food woo ethics" is my beef.
So, how long has the kid been taking pop-tarts and not eating them? And why is he so afraid to pull out the pop-tart that he'd rather go hungry? The teacher couldn't have seen the pop-tart unless he pulled it out so it seems it would have to be more than once. And if it was more than once and you just found out, why do you suppose the child didn't tell you about it sooner? That's the question I'd ask myself if it were my son.
I think this was the second time he took the pop tart, as I said he usually takes either fruit or a fruit cup.
The first time he took it I heard nothing. Which was a few weeks ago because I'd just purchased the box.
He took another one yesterday, I opened his lunch box after school and it was in there.
Thats when he told me she said he could not have it weeks ago, because it was not healthy.
So he sat hungry that day because he was forbade from eating it (first time), and yesterday because I packed it and didnt know he couldn't have it.
He must have seen it and was afraid to take it out.
I dont know why he didn't tell me sooner. The first one got trashed so I didnt find it then.
But more so, who stops a child from from eating and not providing another snack?
Ok you dont want him to have it, well what else you got?
If the teacher threw it in the trash (assuming that's what was meant by 'trashed') then I might speak to the principal about that. She should have simply let him know it was not acceptable and not to bring it again.
You really might want to talk your child about why he didn't tell you about it when it first happened. You don't seem particularly open to anything other than agreement here in this forum. If you are as rigid at home re: nutrition you might want to find out if that's what made him reluctant to tell you what the teacher said.
"You dont seem particularly open to anything other than agreement here in this forum"
Wow, you have trivialized everything I've said from the OP.
Please dont think that I am not open to hearing your opinions. I dont know it all.
I am listening but this goes both ways. I am doing the best to convey open dialogue, I'm sorry you cant see this.9 -
It is not appropriate for the teacher to make you child feel bad about his food. She should not have said this to as it affects your child's self-esteem and does not create a positive environment. It creates one in which people (kids) will feel justified in judging others.
As a pediatric dietitian, I do not recommend granola bars or pop tarts on a regular basis for school-aged children. However, unless you have signed some consent to having your child's nutritional habits be "evaluated" and discussed with your child this behavior by the teacher is not appropriate. It is not as if type of "intervention" is useful. Your child is not the one shopping for food or packing his food. All it has achieved is make your son feel bad and you upset.
"Are pop-tarts the devil"-No, of course not. Some good snacks (better than just fruit and better than granola or regular yogurt would be) hard-boiled eggs, plain cheerios, Greek yogurt with fresh fruit or fat-free milk. It is a good balance of complex carbs, fat and protein.
Can you eat pop-tarts once in a while? Sure. However, I personally do not recommend giving them to children early on. When kids eat sugary foods (like granola bars and pastries) at a young age-I have no idea what your son's age is- they do tend to develop a preference for them. And it's hard to undo later on. It's best to get them to prefer healthier high-protein, complex carb-type foods so there's nothing to undo. I also do not recommend non-nutrition professionals, such as teachers to "evaluate" or provide "nutrition intervention" without parental consent. That is best left to a nutrition professional at the request of the parent. Good luck. I suggest going to your program's director.2 -
This title sounds like it would be a headline at The Onion.6
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NeuronsNeuronsNeurons wrote: »I get where both sides are coming from, I really do. The teacher is relying on guidance published by scientists/nutritionists through FNIC (USDA) and Nutrition.gov which are both federal agencies who serve to educate the public on such matters.
So what I take from this is: Thanks Michelle Obama.
Looking good!4 -
I would think they would have to give a guideline of what kids can and can not bring as a snack if they are going to police like that. My friends daughter has a nut allergy and 2nd day of school they would not let her go play until she ate all of her banana nut muffin even though she told them she could not eat it because of her allergy she is 7. Poor girl stuffed it in her pocket then flushed it down the toilet.1
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Around our house we make a distinction between "treats" and "snacks." A snack is a small amount--I'll somewhat arbitrarily say under 300 calories--of a relatively nutrient dense food to tide you over until the next meal. These are often, but not always, the same kinds of foods you would eat as part of a meal. If I'm busy working on projects around the house I can snack all day and still get my calorie and nutritional goals. But, I can't treat all day and expect the same. A single PopTart meets the "under 250" calories guideline--although two of them equal 400 calories--but they aren't nutritionally dense and definitely aren't filling. They aren't bad. They're treats. My kids know the difference between a snack and a treat and they know it's unlikely they'll get more than one treat a day, and sometimes none. They also know on rare occasions they'll get a treat with a glass of milk for breakfast, such as a Poptart, doughnut, or cookies. They know to ask for a snack when they get home from school because dinner is a few hours away, but occasionally they'll get a treat or a small treat like candy with their snack. The important part is that they know the difference and purpose of each. It would be easy for me to explain to my kids that the teacher wants them to have a snack and not a treat. They wouldn't take that to mean the teacher is saying PopTarts are bad.13
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unexpectedawesome wrote: »Nope. Not okay. That teacher with one day has just undone your years of hard work in trying to teach your kid that there are no good or bad foods. Kids are like sponges and they take everything personally, he's not going to see that the teacher was being a not-nice person, he's going to see that he has bad food. And it's going to take a lot of consistent effort on your part and on his (when he figures it out for himself) that foods don't get labels like that unless - you're right - they're medically or ethically unsound FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL. (I'm all het up over this. Sorry.) If I were you I would have gone immediately to the principal because shenanigans.
Also, did they send you out a guideline at the beginning of the school year as to what constitutes a healthy or unhealthy snack? Is it in writing that the kids can only have fruit/yogurt/granola?
Sounds to me like teacher just didn't want to deal with your child on a sugar high, which if I were the parent would be unacceptable. You don't tell my kid what's good or bad when it comes to food, I do.
They need to provide that guideline for all parents in writing or they need to stfu.
(not that I'm mad about this at all...
)
Do you need a pop tart?
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »ummijaaz560 wrote: »I think I'm more disturbed by the fact that he's been sitting there hungry and afraid to be judged for not eating healthy food.
Who wants their child to be afraid to eat and go hungry? This is how food disorders begin.
But if he took something within the rules he wouldn't be afraid or hungry, correct? It seems like you are perpetuating the problem rather than solving it.
Whenever I encounter something I believe is an injustice, I like to stick my head in the sand in order to prevent creating any waves too.9 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »ummijaaz560 wrote: »I think I'm more disturbed by the fact that he's been sitting there hungry and afraid to be judged for not eating healthy food.
Who wants their child to be afraid to eat and go hungry? This is how food disorders begin.
But if he took something within the rules he wouldn't be afraid or hungry, correct? It seems like you are perpetuating the problem rather than solving it.
Whenever I encounter something I believe is an injustice, I like to stick my head in the sand in order to prevent creating any waves too.
Injustice? ::laugh::4 -
Teachers are like most of the general public. They have no idea of how nutrition actually works. The deeming of "unhealthy" only seems to relate to food or smoking cigarettes, etc. "Unhealthy" could be having too much stress, lack of sleep, being unhappy with themselves, being overweight, etc.ummijaaz560 wrote: »I went to my kids school this morning, to speak with his first grade teacher.
He came home yesterday saying he couldn"t bring his Pop tart for their morning snack, because they can only have "healthy snacks".
I was upset. I still am even after speaking with the teacher this morning.
I teach my child that there are no good or bad foods, unless you have a allergy or ethically cant eat it.
He has been sitting there afraid to pull out his "unhealthy snack" because its not "fruit, or granola bar, or yogurt"(healthy snacks").
I often send those as well.
I told her not to teach my child about foods being good or bad, because I dont subscribe to that.
Teacher: "So you're ok with him having a sugary Pop Tart in the morning"?
Me: Yes, I if send it its good enough for him to have. Just so you know there are granola bars with just as much or more sugar in them as Pop Tarts.
Teacher: blank stare.
Do teachers have the right to teach children sugary snacks are unhealthy?
Are Pop tarts the devil?
If your kid is eating a decent meal in the morning (yes kids should have something in the morning for brain focus), then I say the Pop tart is fine.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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They are sugar covered frosting. I'm sorry, but are we really asking if Pop Tarts are healthy??16
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All the pop tart talk I am now going to eat my last Glutino GF Strawberry Toaster Pastry as I love pop tarts can no longer eat them and only buy these once in a while because it is $3 something a box for 4. YUM! And I will log it.1
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nevermind. I don't want to be involved in this, after all.5
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Define healthy. If a child is getting in all the nutrients they need throughout the day, then why would a Pop tart be unhealthy? You don't get "extra credit" for eating "healthy" once your daily macros/micros are met.DancesWithDogz wrote: »OMG - Pop Tarts are NOT healthy foods - and kudos to the teacher for trying to educate their students, and parents. Granola bars are just as bad... what's wrong with carrots, apples, grapes, and celery sticks? Seriously people!
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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redheaddee1974 wrote: »They are sugar covered frosting. I'm sorry, but are we really asking if Pop Tarts are healthy??
It seems there are only 2 things it could be - healthy or the devil. They don't look like the devil now do they?2 -
Ever since the time I nearly burned down the office toasting my breakfast PopTarts, I've been less than enthralled by them. Seriously, all I did was put it in the toaster.
I have made them from scratch, though, and those are to die for.1 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »ummijaaz560 wrote: »I think I'm more disturbed by the fact that he's been sitting there hungry and afraid to be judged for not eating healthy food.
Who wants their child to be afraid to eat and go hungry? This is how food disorders begin.
But if he took something within the rules he wouldn't be afraid or hungry, correct? It seems like you are perpetuating the problem rather than solving it.
Whenever I encounter something I believe is an injustice, I like to stick my head in the sand in order to prevent creating any waves too.
Injustice? ::laugh::
What was your question? Are you unsure of the definition of the word?
Here you go:
An unjust or unfair act; wrong.3 -
I'll make 1 more point to add to previous points I've made.
When I was 9 years old, I got type 1 diabetes. At that time, and for the next several months, I was given very thorough education about how to manage my disease. By the time I was 10, I actually knew more about type 1 diabetes than most physicians. Yes, that much education.
And I knew at that time that, as far as insulin and BG is concerned, carbs are carbs. It doesn't matter whether those carbs come from an orange (most deem this "healthy") or from a donut (most deem this "unhealthy") - or even a Pop Tart. Insulin doses worked the same way regardless.
Now, as a 10 year old (and subsequently), adults assume that there is no topic you could possibly understand better than them. So I had adults such as school nurses, school cooks, and just people I knew in general telling me that I could not eat "sweets." They were wrong, of course... I could eat "sweets" just as easily as I could eat a sandwich made of whole wheat bread. So even though I knew better, I kept being told regularly for several years that there are certain foods I can't eat.
I have been restricting calories for 3 years now and have eaten low carb for almost a year. However, when I have a cheat day, guess what I go for. I start it out with "sweets" such as donuts, cookies, brownies, cake, etc.; add in pizzas and pasta, and end it with more cookies, brownies, cake, and ice cream.
My point: Telling a kid they can't have something enough times might actually have consequences later in life.4 -
In England schools have 'healthy schools' policies and snacks like that aren't allowed. In secondary school kids bring in snacks they like, but they can't buy chocolate, sweets etc at school. I sent a brunch bar (basically peanuts, oats etc with a bit of chocolate on top) in my son's (he's 7) bag for a break snack and we were told he wasn't allowed it. Fair enough, it's their policy, and I understand. My kids do get treats, but not on a daily basis.
There are plenty of alternatives to a pop tart.6 -
ummijaaz560 wrote: »I went to my kids school this morning, to speak with his first grade teacher.
He came home yesterday saying he couldn"t bring his Pop tart for their morning snack, because they can only have "healthy snacks".
I was upset. I still am even after speaking with the teacher this morning.
I teach my child that there are no good or bad foods, unless you have a allergy or ethically cant eat it.
He has been sitting there afraid to pull out his "unhealthy snack" because its not "fruit, or granola bar, or yogurt"(healthy snacks").
I often send those as well.
I told her not to teach my child about foods being good or bad, because I dont subscribe to that.
Teacher: "So you're ok with him having a sugary Pop Tart in the morning"?
Me: Yes, I if send it its good enough for him to have. Just so you know there are granola bars with just as much or more sugar in them as Pop Tarts.
Teacher: blank stare.
Do teachers have the right to teach children sugary snacks are unhealthy?
Are Pop tarts the devil?
How can you be ok with teaching your child bad habits? Teaching them at a young age to eat unhealthy transitions them to eat bad later on in life. The teacher is doing through right thing and educating your child to a healthier lifestyle.3
This discussion has been closed.
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