Teacher says Pop Tarts are not a healthy snack
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sunfastrose wrote: »Fitgirllife72 wrote: »I think it is reasonable for teachers to suggest appropriate snacks for school. They are teaching my child all day long. If they want to impart some nutrition education during snack time I don't consider that unreasonable. No one is suggesting you can never eat a pop tart and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But I think it is fair to say when choosing a healthy snack few people would reach for a pop tart to meet that criteria. School is a learning experience. That doesn't just mean math, science, history etc. It includes socialization at recess and healthy habits during PE and yes snack time.
Suggest, sure. Send a letter to the parent or even to all the parents. Don't shame the child.
I'm confused where the shaming happened. He was told his snack was not healthy. It was an observation on the teachers part. He wasn't put down for it. He was told his snack was not healthy. I guess I'm not that sensitive to every word people say. It was her observation she expressed. I can't imagine my kids being offended or traumatized by this. And yes. I have young children. They would come home and tell me they need to bring something healthy. And I would send it.
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Fitgirllife72 wrote: »sunfastrose wrote: »Fitgirllife72 wrote: »I think it is reasonable for teachers to suggest appropriate snacks for school. They are teaching my child all day long. If they want to impart some nutrition education during snack time I don't consider that unreasonable. No one is suggesting you can never eat a pop tart and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But I think it is fair to say when choosing a healthy snack few people would reach for a pop tart to meet that criteria. School is a learning experience. That doesn't just mean math, science, history etc. It includes socialization at recess and healthy habits during PE and yes snack time.
Suggest, sure. Send a letter to the parent or even to all the parents. Don't shame the child.
I'm confused where the shaming happened. He was told his snack was not healthy. It was an observation on the teachers part.
She said that the teacher threw the first one out and he had no snack for that day. That is just wrong and of course would embarrass a child. Now her kid tells her he doesn't even like them anymore, all because of the teachers actions:1 -
Fitgirllife72 wrote: »sunfastrose wrote: »Fitgirllife72 wrote: »I think it is reasonable for teachers to suggest appropriate snacks for school. They are teaching my child all day long. If they want to impart some nutrition education during snack time I don't consider that unreasonable. No one is suggesting you can never eat a pop tart and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But I think it is fair to say when choosing a healthy snack few people would reach for a pop tart to meet that criteria. School is a learning experience. That doesn't just mean math, science, history etc. It includes socialization at recess and healthy habits during PE and yes snack time.
Suggest, sure. Send a letter to the parent or even to all the parents. Don't shame the child.
I'm confused where the shaming happened. He was told his snack was not healthy. It was an observation on the teachers part.
She said that the teacher threw the first one out and he had no snack for that day. That is just wrong and of course would embarrass a child. Now her kid tells her he doesn't even like them anymore, all because of the teachers actions:
Sorry. Didn't read through the hundreds of responses. Read her original post. Yes that is not appropriate. Her original post asked if teachers have the right to state that a snack is unhealthy. I assumed that was her question. My answer to that is absolutely. Had her original post included the pop tart shaming incident that may have changed my response.
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littlemissbgiff wrote: »littlemissbgiff wrote: »Careful now, I've had an internet warrior blow up my inbox for having an opinion on the subject that doesn't fall in line with the OP. It won't stop. You could be next.
Good grief!
Mind you given there are quite a few of us who didn't agree and aren't being hasselled maybe this a new flirting technique?
Lol. I guess being called an idiot B could qualify as a flirt. Thanks for the perspective! I'm done crying now!
Now look what you've got me into! Some eeeejit has flagged all our posts! Sheeeeesh!
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fattymcrunnerpants wrote: »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.
Your child seems to have access to a wide variety of healthy foods with the occasional poptart whereas others in the classroom may not. Some children in the US live on boxed mac n cheese, candy, chips and soda. For these children, asking their parents to send them with a healthy snack is doing them a favor as it gives them access to a broader palette of food. Other children may reluctantly eat a healthy snack if there are no other options and may want to forego their carrot sticks if they see your child has a poptart in hand. The teacher has been given guidance published by the federal government with how they should educate their class with regard to nutrition. The teacher is charged with managing all of these competing interests and must act in the interests of the group.
I also absolutely understand your point that a poptart as a sometimes food is perfectly fine and part of a healthy and balanced diet that shouldn't be demonized. I also understand why you don't want to set your child up with the habit of denying themselves such foods as a foundation for developing unhealthy relationships with food and eating disorders.
If it were me, I'd use this as a good opportunity to teach my child about respecting others needs while also assuring them that an occasional treat is part of a healthy eating habit and give them an afterschool poptart if they'd like.
I think that's what many parents don't get: the teachers are charged with teaching their class about a lot of different things, including nutrition. The thing is that many many many parents DO NOT teach their children good eating habits. They DO NOT teach their children good exercise habits, hygiene habits, homework habits. All sorts of things. Hell in my child's school district they have an afterschool program that they allow children whose parents stay at home all day attend because the stay at home parents won't make them do their homework! It's amazing how lax some parents can be. So that puts diligent parents in the crosshairs of policy. Some may be unfair, some may seem nonsensical but there's a reason for it.
Personally I try to work with the school as much as possible. Explain to my children why they do things in certain ways or work with the teacher. For example, last year, we had an amazing opportunity to go to NYC for a week but it was during regular school days and over the 3 day limit for excused absences. I worked with the teacher and principal to come up with a solution which included taking pictures of our adventures in NYC, having my son put together a presentation for his class about Ellis Island, and doing all of his school work on our trip. It was amazing and worked for everyone. I think sometimes as parents we see it as an "us against them" kind of thing when it really doesn't have to be.
^^ Just because you make sure your child is eating the poptart as part of a healthy diet doesn't mean other kids are as lucky. For some kids the apple/carrots at snack time may be the only fruit/veg they eat all day.
Most schools can't afford to customize every single lesson (including nutrition) to each student and the idea of being in a community and accepting that we may not always get what we want is also an important lesson.
I understand your point and don't disagree that poptarts can fit into a healthy diet. I also think the way the teacher handled it was inappropriate as they should've given you clear instructions at the start of the year. I would tell your kid that the school gives you a short list of what you can give him for snacks just like they give you a short list of the kinds of school supplies he's allowed to bring. (I'm going to guess that spray paint and acrylics aren't part of the list.) Or use some similar analogy. Don't make it about good or bad foods. To you and your son it's arbitrary because he has good food habits already. It's for the kids who don't have that.3 -
I'll say this....I prefer the poptart toasted vs the non toasted...I know I know a lot of people just unwrap and eat but I need a little warmth on that thing! Secondly...if I do not have a poptart to eat...then I'm usually going with some cinnamon toast crunch...or...ummm..coco pebbles...3
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I'm old but I remember throwing up when a teacher made me eat the canned green peas off of my cafeteria lunch tray. He wouldn't let me leave until I finished them..............some things never change.
Pop Tarts are nothing but carbs and sugar and I seldom bought them for my kids, the same way I seldom bought cookies, but sometimes we all need a treat that just isn't good for us. I have to wonder what that teacher may be eating or drinking behind closed doors..........none of us are perfect for gawdsake!
Teachers aren't dieticians as far as I know and I think as long as the parents take the time to pack a lunch for their children we should just leave them alone. It's probably healthier than the food they serve in the cafeteria at any rate!1 -
Was there an information session at the start of the school year? Did they let you know before enrolment that there are restrictions on foods?
In Queensland, Australia, kids are all taught about "smart choices" A government funded program encouraging the children to make their own smart choices from their lunchbox. The schools provide education about food and nutrition etc.
So if there was a pop tart and an apple, the child would in theory take their newly taught knowledge on food choices and pick the apple to eat first. Then have the pop tart.
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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?
Though I strongly disagree with kids having sugary or salty ANYTHING, The school "policy" is just that. A policy. It isnt a law. The school CANT kick your kid out for eating what you send him with. Most people will just let it slide and work around the schools rules even if they are ridiculous, or just pull their kids out. When they tried to tell me I couldnt send something they deemed unhealthy with my son in the 4th grade, I showed up with McDonalds and dared the school to stop me. Yes, McD's BAD.. but I tend to rebel when someone tells me I CANT parent MY KID. When they told me I couldnt dye my kids hair, both of my kids ended up with blue hair all year long. When they said I couldnt leave with my kids for lunch, I signed them out for the "day" and came back with them after lunch. The school was so afraid of me after a few months that the principal would see me coming, turn on his heals, and head straight back to his office. He tried to threaten me with a truancy officer because I was pulling my kids out of school too often to take them to the zoo or museum. He tried to use the excuse that their grades would suffer and a good parent worries for their childrens grades. I asked him, "OH NO! My son is making less than an A in all his classes?" "Uhh.. well no, not yet.." "And my daughter is struggling to turn in her assignments?" "Evidence shows that.. " "Then who the HECK are you to tell me how to raise my EFFIN kids when BOTH are in advanced classes making straight A's! Step the HECK off and stay OUT of our business!" After that, they never questioned me again. I eventually pulled both of my kids out to homeschool them. It seemed easier than domineering the school officials each year and reminding them who pays their wages.
I read this to my teenage son and he said "sounds like you mom!!" I hate stupid, baseless rules. My school has done similar including removing my child's whole lunch from him because it was "contaminated". There was coconut in his homemade cookie and they are a nut free zone. Coconut is not a nut, there are no specifications restricting it to protect any individual child in the school, and the teacher and principal jumped because "nut" is in the word. No research or education behind their own rules even. That is what gets me. They fed him chocolate pudding and prepackaged crackers and processed cheese that day and wondered why he could not properly focus on his work on that few calories.
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AngryViking1970 wrote: »Ooooh, cherry and s'mores are my favorite!
I miss pop tarts. I haven't had one in years. The chocolate and cherry were my favorite. I used to toast them until they were almost burned. Yummy.0 -
littlemissbgiff wrote: »littlemissbgiff wrote: »Careful now, I've had an internet warrior blow up my inbox for having an opinion on the subject that doesn't fall in line with the OP. It won't stop. You could be next.
Good grief!
Mind you given there are quite a few of us who didn't agree and aren't being hasselled maybe this a new flirting technique?
Lol. I guess being called an idiot B could qualify as a flirt. Thanks for the perspective! I'm done crying now!
Now look what you've got me into! Some eeeejit has flagged all our posts! Sheeeeesh!
Hmmm interesting...the flags have all been removed now...must've been hallucinating!!!
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There are plenty of other sweet things out there that don't have as many calories. That's an entire meal's worth.0 -
unsuspectingfish wrote: »
There are plenty of other sweet things out there that don't have as many calories. That's an entire meal's worth.
Right ... one whole entire poptart (as a snack for a 6 year old) is 200 calories.
By comparison, a banana is about 100 calories, an apple is 80-100 depending on the size of the apple, one oreo cookie is 45 calories.
Those were the things my parents gave me for a snack. There were no snacks in school, of course, but after school, my brother and I got a small glass of milk and a cookie (like an oreo). Before bed, we got a piece of fruit. We also got 3 decent meals during the day.
So sure, something sweet now and then is good ... within reason.
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I still wonder what the OP's purpose was in starting this thread. Why?1 -
This just popped into my head. Such a wrong commercial but absolutely hysterical:
https://youtu.be/L5tpP-QgIJE 3 -
Not arguing how healthy or unhealthy a pop tart is, but just pointing out that they are sold for breakfast in the public middle and high schools here (and in another state we lived in last year). I'd love to see a teacher go argue with the cafeteria workers about selling them to kids before first period, lol!2
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Years and years ago when I worked at a daycare there was a 4 year old little girl who literally weighed more than I did. She was morbidly obese and could barely walk. Both her parents were the same way. Every day in her lunch box she had crap food. Cheetos, chocolate pudding, cookies etc, absolutely nothing nutritious. When all the other kids would be playing she be scooting a chair up to the counter where we kept the lunch boxes so she could grab something out of her lunchbox to eat and would cry when we told her not to. An extreme example I suppose and I'm not assuming that your son is obese, but we never gave her everything that was in her lunch box because it would be child abuse. I suppose her parents could have looked in her lunchbox at the end of the day and saw there was still cookies in there and be insulted that we thought that their choices weren't healthy but the fact is they weren't and it was up to us to make that choice because obviously she wasn't getting good choices at home either. The teacher doesn't know if a child is getting nutritious meals at home so it's her job to make sure that when the child is in her supervision, that they're well taken care of and Pop-Tarts ain't going to cut it.9
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I can't believe there are 10 pages on here... "The teacher says Pop Tarts are not a healthy snack." Well... they're not!8
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400 calories probably make up 1\3 of their daily needs depending on their age, and you want that to go to poptarts? What about poptarts aide in a 'balanced' diet?
2 poptarts have a total of 76g of carbs. That's gross.6 -
Something I haven't seen mentioned is how to help this kid get through the school year without getting in to a pop tart war.
I suggest you agree with your child for this school term at least, the pop tart will be an at-home treat just so there is no more fussing.
When my children were about the same age they came home from school and insisted that a certain word had to be misspelled the way their teacher had shown them. No amount of arguing could get me to convince them otherwise,"But teacher said..." I got my first glimmer of a future where I was not guaranteed that I would be the primary influence in their young lives.
You'll survive. Your child will thrive.3
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