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Teacher says Pop Tarts are not a healthy snack
Replies
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Haven't read the thread. Just going to vent.
Arbitrary food rules drive me a bit crazy. My kids are homeschooled but attend a bum-in-seat school once or twice a week. That school has a no peanut policy. Fine. But there were no peanut allergies in the school. Not a one. My oldest is allergic to sunflower seeds and tree nuts. He carries an epi-pen everywhere. Tree nuts are allowed. My kids are gluten free due to celiac disease. A crumb causes illness for weeks.... It irritated me how they go with the usual standard of food restrictions but not for foods that are a danger.
To keep my kids safe I man all the food tables and create a "free from" area for GF, dairy free or whatever and make everyone label their foods... It is amazing how few people realize that almond flower is a tree nut. LOL
I know teachers encourage nutritious snacks. They also encourage less wrapping and garbage. I would go along to a point. What is considered nutritious is pretty arbitrary and will vary between households.
Now if all packed lunches and snacks were based on pop-tart like "foods", then yes, parents should be talked to.1 -
stevencloser wrote: »
Same amount of sugar, different micronutrients, neither being particularly outstanding.
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1920/2
Ask 100 registered dietitians their recommendation for a snack and I would be willing to bet 95%+ of them would pick the grapes over Pop Tarts.5 -
I retract my previous advice. Your child was made to sit hungry while everyone else was having a snack?
I would have this lady's head on a silver platter. I'd complain to high heaven and see if I couldn't cost her, her job.
To begin with, this should've been a conversation between you and her not her and your first grader who is what six or seven? And then she has the audacity to not let him eat anything?
Heads. Would. Roll.
But I don't take kindly to people who bully children. Even if you'd sent him a chocolate covered freaking donut he should have been allowed to eat it if he was hungry or another snack should have been provided and this should have been taken up with you.
Yeah, the teacher should have given him an alternative thing to eat. I dare say the teacher equates poptarts to amped up kids on a sugar high, and doesn't want to have to deal with that on top of all of her other duties.1 -
I retract my previous advice. Your child was made to sit hungry while everyone else was having a snack?
I would have this lady's head on a silver platter. I'd complain to high heaven and see if I couldn't cost her, her job.
To begin with, this should've been a conversation between you and her not her and your first grader who is what six or seven? And then she has the audacity to not let him eat anything?
Heads. Would. Roll.
But I don't take kindly to people who bully children. Even if you'd sent him a chocolate covered freaking donut he should have been allowed to eat it if he was hungry or another snack should have been provided and this should have been taken up with you.
What??? The OP's child was so upset by this that he didn't mention it either time it happened....3 -
Packerjohn wrote: »
Ask 100 registered dietitians their recommendation for a snack and I would be willing to bet 95%+ of them would pick the grapes over Pop Tarts.
So you don't care about the actual nutrient contained but rather go for the "duh, of course grapes are healthy"?8 -
My thought is that the schools don't like sugary snacks because some kids may get hyper. I could be mistaken though.... I don't think it's ok for teacher to be criticizing what kids bring to school.
I got so pissed when my son was going to camp and they would discuss healthy foods. Kids that brought "healthy" foods got to wear a healthy hat. My son was all upset one day because when the camp counselor saw his lunch he didn't get a hat. Mind you I'm paying this camp good money and they're inspecting my kids lunch!
To sum it up, I would be aggravated too.2 -
i would rip her (and the school if they are supporting that JUDGEMENT call) a new one, on principle alone. and enjoy every minute of it, as its not often I get to do that to a person.
you want to control what my kid eats - you *kitten* buy it. no? then they will eat what *I* send.
and yeah gross. i do keep some on hand but a box lasts us months LOLOLOL1 -
Or like I learned as a kid, it's okay to have a Poptart IF I'm also eating my other "healthy" stuff.puttputt24 wrote: »
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.
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To OP: I'm gonna throw this out there (I was an elementary school teacher); if you dig your heels in about this issue this early, you will be known as Pop Tart Mom for the remaining years your child(ern) are at that school. Are Pop Tarts really that important? Is being "right" really that important?
Just send in some raisins...those have carbs, are sweet, and were once a legit fruit.12 -
They are okay to eat in moderation. Name one food in the world that isn't? And again define "healthy"? Sure it's sugar, but the body knows how to handle it and kids burn it off pretty fast. The issue here is that much of the public have this hysteria about sugar being the devil based on media.puttputt24 wrote: »
You have 30 years of nutrition and trying to argue that pop tarts are ok to eat?? Sure they are ok to eat but they are no means healthy. Smh
Hell I ate tons of sugar as a kid. Right after school we dropped of at the nearest local 7-11 and loaded up on candy. The difference is now that kids are so "protected" by their parents for just about everything. I personally believe part of the reason that kids don't play outside anymore is because parents are scared to death to let them by themselves.
Let me iterate that Poptarts aren't "unhealthy". They ARE low in nutritional value.
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deputy_randolph wrote: »To OP: I'm gonna throw this out there (I was an elementary school teacher); if you dig your heels in about this issue this early, you will be known as Pop Tart Mom for the remaining years your child(ern) are at that school. Are Pop Tarts really that important? Is being "right" really that important?
Just send in some raisins...those have carbs, are sweet, and were once a legit fruit.
And might be less filling for the same calories than the poptart. But because it's "natural" it gets a free pass.3 -
Um...former teacher here.
In American public schools, you do have every right to have your child have a Pop-Tart for snack.
However, as a teacher, I DO NOT want most kids eating Pop-Tarts for snack. That's a lot of quick sugar energy right there...leading to a sugar crash in short order. Even if in terms of calories that's fine, something with more protein, fiber, vitamins, and so on will serve a child much better.
Maybe your teacher declaring your snack "unhealthy" was a bit of an over-reaction...but on the other hand, is that *really* a great healthy choice for your child? It's just not.
You're also defending a POP TART as a healthy choice when something like cheese sticks, yogurt, fruit, crackers, and so on are much better nutrition wise. That's an over-reaction on your part too.12 -
deputy_randolph wrote: »To OP: I'm gonna throw this out there (I was an elementary school teacher); if you dig your heels in about this issue this early, you will be known as Pop Tart Mom for the remaining years your child(ern) are at that school. Are Pop Tarts really that important? Is being "right" really that important?
Just send in some raisins...those have carbs, are sweet, and were once a legit fruit.
I admire a parent taking charge of her parental rights. Why should the parent back down instead of the teacher?
Unless there is a rule about healthy snacks that has been approved through the school district's normal rulemaking process the teacher needs to back off and respect the parent's wishes. She also needs to leave the child and other students out of it.4 -
As a yard duty at my DD's school, THIS would be a legit reason. Some of these kids eat candy throughout the day and get pretty hyper and uncontrollable.My thought is that the schools don't like sugary snacks because some kids may get hyper. I could be mistaken though.... I don't think it's ok for teacher to be criticizing what kids bring to school.
Lol, I see lots of kids with so called "healthy" lunches and physically they can't even run the mile in PE.I got so pissed when my son was going to camp and they would discuss healthy foods. Kids that brought "healthy" foods got to wear a healthy hat. My son was all upset one day because when the camp counselor saw his lunch he didn't get a hat. Mind you I'm paying this camp good money and they're inspecting my kids lunch!
To sum it up, I would be aggravated too.
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If a school doesn't want certain foods brought to school, there's usually an agreement/waiver that parents have to sign and the foods are usually listed. Kids at my daughter's school isn't even supposed to be shared because there might be an allergic reaction to the food that the child might not be aware of.
As a parent, it's then responsible to abide by them.
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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!
Personally, I think that if you completely deprive kids, they're not going to know how to eat these things in moderation. Mommy won't be there to dictate her child's food forever.
In moderation, I think a Pop Tart is fine. It's not an indication of bad parenting, and if the school has specific guidelines on what food is and isn't allowed, that should be written somewhere, preferably online, and the teacher should have referenced that to the parent. Otherwise, it's not the teacher's business.3 -
Aaah gone are the days when kids swapped lunches and snacks, there were no food rules and allergies/sicknesses/intolerance's were rarely heard of. Wtf has happened to our kids since i was in school??2
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I'm with the teacher on this one - I don't think pop tarts are a healthy snack. If I had to give them a label, I'd call them a treat, or go with the cookie monster and call them a sometimes food.
I don't have any problem with treats when you eat an overall varied diet that gives you the appropriate amount of nutrition and energy. So, like all foods that are eaten more for enjoyment than nutrition - perfectly fine as a small part of an overall balanced diet - whatever that looks like for you.
However, your child isn't the only one in the class and this isn't all about you. That teacher has (most likely) 20 - 30 children to teach every day, and there's a pretty good chance that at least some of those kids don't get the same good information and nutrition at home that your child does. Maybe they are eating pop tarts and similar foods for most meals and aren't getting a good varied, balanced diet. In that case, I'm glad your child's teacher is asking for "healthy" snacks to come to school. Maybe that's the only time some other kids get to eat fruit or something with more nutrition than a pop tart.
I think I'd take this chance to talk to your child and explain that pop tarts are fine - you are getting most of your nutrition from other things you eat and these give you quick energy but not a lot of goodness other than that. The teacher wants to encourage all the kids to eat things at school that give them good nutrition not just energy. Send him with fruit or another approved snack and save the pop tarts for another time.
I also wouldn't be spending so much energy getting upset about this - your child may as well learn earlier than later that different places have different rules and that unless you actually have a reason like an allergy (like the lactose intolerant child in an earlier post) then it's better to stick with the rules. He will need to cope with rules for the rest of his life, learning that the way to deal with them is to get upset isn't setting him up well for the future.
This isn't a completely nonsensical rule either, as far as I can see. I think it's great that the teacher wants to encourage healthy eating for all their students, I'd see more of a problem if she only permitted pop tarts or donuts. Not because those foods are bad but because without knowing about the overall makeup of every single child's diet, it may not be appropriate for some (possible many) of them. While that rule sounds unnecessary for your child, perhaps having a bit of empathy for the teacher and the other students may not go astray.
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It's not the kids.....................it's the LEGAL SYSTEM.Christine_72 wrote: »Aaah gone are the days when kids swapped lunches and snacks, there were no food rules and allergies/sicknesses/intolerance's were rarely heard of. Wtf has happened to our kids since i was in school??
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0 -
My kid's school did a lesson early on in the year where they sorted foods into sometimes and frequent foods. I liked that. It didn't demonize any foods, but reinforced that a banana usually provides more nutritional benefits than a cookie or piece of candy, without saying to not ever eat those things. It also highlighted the benefits of having a larger % of your diet made up of nutritious foods. They encourage more nutritious snacks/lunches (I don't think candy is allowed in snacks/lunches), but at holiday parties there are cakes/cookies. Teachers gave out candy canes in the kid's Christmas treat bags. They do a trunk or treat (outside of school hours) at Halloween. Balance. I like it.
PS It's a private school.
PPS I didn't read every single comment so I apologize if this is redundant.2 -
I know that I said this earlier but limiting snacks to only vegetables, fruits, yogurt, and granola leaves some students with NOTHING they can eat for snack because of medical reasons. So what happens to them? They starve or they get an exception and get bullied/made to feel guilty because what the teacher randomly decided was healthy isn't healthy for them?2
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When I read the title of the post I thought for sure that this was going to be different than what it was. Follow the school rules! We wonder what is wrong with kids these days when parents are setting the example to not follow the rules. The teacher is obviously correct in her statement that Pop Tarts are not healthy. She did not say bad..she said not healthy which s a fact. That doesn't mean that some things such as granola bars are any healthier but the fact remains that that. Pop Tarts are not healthy! I admire them for trying to encourage kids to make healthier habits. I also agree that if you know your child is uncomfortable bringing the pop tart after the teacher has asked you not to that it is your fault for not sending an alternative snack and causing your child discomfort. We don't always get what we want and we need to set a better example for our kids.
I wonder if maybe you stopped and let your mind cool off for a day or so if you would still be so upset over a Pop Tart. I have a feeling you might wish you didn't spend so much time and energy on a toaster pastry. Maybe instead send it something that will fuel your child through their learning.11 -
I also find it ludicrous that people think that someone should *have their head on a silver platter* or that one would suggest trying to get them fired and lose the ability to support their family for saying a Pop Tart isn't healthy. Feed your kid whatever you want at home and follow the rules at school.18
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It's not the kids.....................it's the LEGAL SYSTEM.
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Not the legal system. It's the parenting. Adolescents are more obese than ever before. Parents are the ones supplying the food. I stand by supporting the teacher. FOLLOW THE RULES.2 -
singingflutelady wrote: »I know that I said this earlier but limiting snacks to only vegetables, fruits, yogurt, and granola leaves some students with NOTHING they can eat for snack because of medical reasons. So what happens to them? They starve or they get an exception and get bullied/made to feel guilty because what the teacher randomly decided was healthy isn't healthy for them?
This is where I would expect a good teacher would set the expectations in class - everyone is having something that is healthy or good for them. Clearly accomodations need to be made for students with actual allergies or medical needs, as you describe, and it should certainly be done in a way that doesn't make the child feel bad. I still think it's a good idea to promote healthy eating in general for the sake of the kids who aren't getting that message at home. (To me, healthy eating includes the idea that some people have a different set of foods that are good for them.)1 -
singingflutelady wrote: »I know that I said this earlier but limiting snacks to only vegetables, fruits, yogurt, and granola leaves some students with NOTHING they can eat for snack because of medical reasons. So what happens to them? They starve or they get an exception and get bullied/made to feel guilty because what the teacher randomly decided was healthy isn't healthy for them?
100% this.When I read the title of the post I thought for sure that this was going to be different than what it was. Follow the school rules! We wonder what is wrong with kids these days when parents are setting the example to not follow the rules. The teacher is obviously correct in her statement that Pop Tarts are not healthy. She did not say bad..she said not healthy which s a fact. That doesn't mean that some things such as granola bars are any healthier but the fact remains that that. Pop Tarts are not healthy! I admire them for trying to encourage kids to make healthier habits. I also agree that if you know your child is uncomfortable bringing the pop tart after the teacher has asked you not to that it is your fault for not sending an alternative snack and causing your child discomfort. We don't always get what we want and we need to set a better example for our kids.
I wonder if maybe you stopped and let your mind cool off for a day or so if you would still be so upset over a Pop Tart. I have a feeling you might wish you didn't spend so much time and energy on a toaster pastry. Maybe instead send it something that will fuel your child through their learning.
Yeah... no. First off she even said there wasno specific rule banning pop tarts, just a teacher who is pushing her views on what is healthy and not healthy. No rule was broken.
Not the case here, but what if the family was poor and can't afford to send their kids with fruits and veggies everyday, but can afford to send them with crackers or gold fish or something else the teacher didn't think was happen? The child be sent with no snack at all?I also find it ludicrous that people think that someone should *have their head on a silver platter* or that one would suggest trying to get them fired and lose the ability to support their family for saying a Pop Tart isn't healthy. Feed your kid whatever you want at home and follow the rules at school.I also find it ludicrous that people think that someone should *have their head on a silver platter* or that one would suggest trying to get them fired and lose the ability to support their family for saying a Pop Tart isn't healthy. Feed your kid whatever you want at home and follow the rules at school.
Except there was no specific rule. Just one teacher who decided to say something. If a teacher says anything to my child about not eating what I packed them, especially since there are allergy issues, there I going to be a huge problem.2 -
puttputt24 wrote: »
Not the legal system. It's the parenting. Adolescents are more obese than ever before. Parents are the ones supplying the food. I stand by supporting the teacher. FOLLOW THE RULES.
OP specifically said THERE WAS NO SUCH RULE.5 -
not_my_first_rodeo wrote: »I nearly burned down the office toasting my breakfast PopTarts
Hmmm...You're not the same person who posted about setting her leg on fire making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, are you?3 -
When I read the title of the post I thought for sure that this was going to be different than what it was. Follow the school rules! We wonder what is wrong with kids these days when parents are setting the example to not follow the rules. The teacher is obviously correct in her statement that Pop Tarts are not healthy. She did not say bad..she said not healthy which s a fact. That doesn't mean that some things such as granola bars are any healthier but the fact remains that that. Pop Tarts are not healthy! I admire them for trying to encourage kids to make healthier habits. I also agree that if you know your child is uncomfortable bringing the pop tart after the teacher has asked you not to that it is your fault for not sending an alternative snack and causing your child discomfort. We don't always get what we want and we need to set a better example for our kids.
I wonder if maybe you stopped and let your mind cool off for a day or so if you would still be so upset over a Pop Tart. I have a feeling you might wish you didn't spend so much time and energy on a toaster pastry. Maybe instead send it something that will fuel your child through their learning.
Did you read the part where the OP stated that 1. The only published and shared rules are no peanuts and no seafood and 2. She did not know until the second time she sent a Pop tart?3
This discussion has been closed.
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