Teacher says Pop Tarts are not a healthy snack

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  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    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.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    edited January 2017
    everher wrote: »
    ummijaaz560 wrote: »
    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?

    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.
  • Tallawah_
    Tallawah_ Posts: 2,475 Member
    everher wrote: »
    ummijaaz560 wrote: »
    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?

    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....
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
    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.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    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 LOLOLOL
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,978 Member
    puttputt24 wrote: »
    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.
    Or like I learned as a kid, it's okay to have a Poptart IF I'm also eating my other "healthy" stuff.


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  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    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.
  • shor0814
    shor0814 Posts: 559 Member
    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.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,978 Member
    cnbbnc wrote: »
    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.
    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.
    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.
    Lol, I see lots of kids with so called "healthy" lunches and physically they can't even run the mile in PE.


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  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,978 Member
    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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  • Peaslepuff
    Peaslepuff Posts: 84 Member
    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.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    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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  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,978 Member
    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??
    It's not the kids.....................it's the LEGAL SYSTEM.


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  • jnananamaste
    jnananamaste Posts: 72 Member
    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.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    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?
  • puttputt24
    puttputt24 Posts: 30 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    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??
    It's not the kids.....................it's the LEGAL SYSTEM.


    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
    9285851.png


    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.
  • pebble4321
    pebble4321 Posts: 1,132 Member
    edited January 2017
    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.)
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    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.
    danipals1 wrote: »
    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?
    danipals1 wrote: »
    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.
    danipals1 wrote: »
    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.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,091 Member
    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?
  • sunfastrose
    sunfastrose Posts: 543 Member
    danipals1 wrote: »
    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?
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