Post by teatimefor2 on May 29, 2014 20:33:00 GMT -5
I am touring preschools this week, and everyone provides a snack and has goldfish as a snack. Is goldfish a standard snack? And furthermore, why are snacks so carb heavy? Most examples given to me are crackers, goldfish, etc. It's just more processed than I would prefer.
This is for a two year old programme. My DS, 20 months, never has a snack. He has breakfast, lunch, maybe an afternoon snack (he doesn't always want one) and dinner. That's it. I don't think I can request that he doesn't have a snack.
Post by carolinagirl831 on May 29, 2014 20:36:46 GMT -5
Yes, your'e being too picky. I really doubt you're going to find a US preschool that doesn't offer snacks. I think this is one of those things you'll just have to look at it's ok in moderation. Teach him healthy snacks at home and realize a few goldfish won't hurt him
Post by imojoebunny on May 29, 2014 20:38:59 GMT -5
Goldfish are common, unlike some snacks they do have protein. For my kids, I wish they did not have snack at all, but I realize they are light eaters, on a comparative scale and that some kids, one of mine included, are super picky, and they are catering to the masses, most of which will eat goldfish.
Post by curbsideprophet on May 29, 2014 20:46:36 GMT -5
I think you are being picky. I don't think you will find a daycare that does not offer snack. I think DD would be a complete mess if she did not have snacks during the day.
Goldfish is a very common snack.
You could try and request no snack. However I think you would have better luck sending in your own snack than avoiding snack. I would think after a few days your child will want to eat when everyone else is.
I don't think this is 'hill to die on' category, but it's okay to be picky about your kid's food. I wouldn't want goldfish to be her snack every single day, but I'm not opposed to carb based snacks. At DD1's preschool snack is always a carb of some sort and a fruit or veggie (or both). I much prefer that because it's more well rounded and filling than just pretzels or goldfish.
I can't imagine not having snack at all though. DD1 is a big snacker anyway, but she expends so much energy all day long that I don't doubt for a minute that she's hungry between meals.
Also, part of preschool/daycare at that age is to help teach manners and social skills, like how to sit at a table for snack and not wander off/steal other people's food/whatever. So even if he doesn't always snack at home, it's important for him to participate in it at preschool IMO.
I buy goldfish at Costco so that we have two giant bags and I can eat as many as I want. They are delicious.
And normal kids snack at least twice a day. My kids would probably die of malnutrition if I fed them only at meal times (exhibit A: the 27 lb 3 year old. exhibit b: the 17 lb 9 month old).
Post by teatimefor2 on May 29, 2014 21:13:54 GMT -5
Okay, I guess I will let this go. My kid eats three big meals a day and no snack, sometimes are afternoon snack, but typically not. He has breakfast at 8:15 a.m. lunch at 12:15 and dinner around 6:30 p.m. He eats really well at his meals. He has a cup of milk when he wakes up and milk before nap. Otherwise he just drinks water.
He mainly eats fruit, veggies, meat, beans, tofu. I rarely give him processed food... maybe a cracker once in a while, but he eats really clean. My son is also huge. He's 20 months, about 30 lbs and 34/35 inches. He's just use to not eating all the time.
I buy goldfish at Costco so that we have two giant bags and I can eat as many as I want. They are delicious.
And normal kids snack at least twice a day. My kids would probably die of malnutrition if I fed them only at meal times (exhibit A: the 27 lb 3 year old. exhibit b: the 17 lb 9 month old).
That's a bit barbed. My normal kid only has one snack a day (in addition to his 3 regular meals). I have no issues with goldfish. If I didn't feed him starchy carbs he would only eat fruit.
Okay, I guess I will let this go. My kid eats three big meals a day and no snack, sometimes are afternoon snack, but typically not. He has breakfast at 8:15 a.m. lunch at 12:15 and dinner around 6:30 p.m. He eats really well at his meals. He has a cup of milk when he wakes up and milk before nap. Otherwise he just drinks water.
He mainly eats fruit, veggies, meat, beans, tofu. I rarely give him processed food... maybe a cracker once in a while, but he eats really clean. My son is also huge. He's 20 months, about 30 lbs and 34/35 inches. He's just use to not eating all the time.
Okay, I guess I will let this go. My kid eats three big meals a day and no snack, sometimes are afternoon snack, but typically not. He has breakfast at 8:15 a.m. lunch at 12:15 and dinner around 6:30 p.m. He eats really well at his meals. He has a cup of milk when he wakes up and milk before nap. Otherwise he just drinks water.
He mainly eats fruit, veggies, meat, beans, tofu. I rarely give him processed food... maybe a cracker once in a while, but he eats really clean. My son is also huge. He's 20 months, about 30 lbs and 34/35 inches. He's just use to not eating all the time.
Well connnnngrats on your kale baby.
Ouch, that was a bit harsh. Everyone has their hang-ups/hills to die on/etc and clean eating is mine. Funnily enough, DS doesn't like kale
I'm imagining DD going six hours between meals. LOL NO I'M NOT because I'd rather run screaming into the seventh circle of hell.
I mean, good for you? But you know your kid is the exception here? And this is a preschool catering to *gasp* average toddlers.
I'll be honest, my BFF doesn't give her child snacks either and most of my mummy friends are British and they don't do snacks either. So in my world, snacks are not the norm. He just eats a lot at meals. It was just a question and apparently I am in the minority. Question answered.
Ds had never had goldfish before he went to daycare, so i get where you are coming from but yeah, its no big deal. He's eating good food most of the time a few fishies as we call them wont ruin anything.
I get that "clean eating" is your hill to die on but you really need to reframe that. Because he will not eat clean (I hate that term BTW--it's so loaded and judgy) his entire childhood. He just won't. He'll go to birthday parties and school picnics and sleepovers and be faced with foods a lot "dirtier" than goldfish.
In your shoes I would try to frame it as healthy eating and moderation. As in, "goldfish are a snack and a treat but you should try to eat fruits and veggies most is the time!" and "let's see how many colors we can eat!" etc. That way when he gets to the sleepover in third grade maybe he'll have some salad with his pizza and cupcake, or whatever.
Post by curbsideprophet on May 29, 2014 21:43:31 GMT -5
I would just find a place that is okay with you providing your own snack. It should not be a big deal.
Maybe he will not want snacks. Given the amount of energy expended and the group mentality of preschool/daycare, I would not be surprised if he quickly adjusts to wanting/eating snacks with everyone else.
I'll speak for the school - We have a certain amount of money per kid, per snack. Paying someone to come in and prep the snacks costs more money on top of the cost of food. Then, there are allergy & dietary concerns. Now, add in that we're feeding preschoolers who are not always the most adventurous eaters. The school doesn't want to pay someone to prepare a snack no one is going to eat. The result? Goldfish
At my school we adhere to a 2 food group rule. Children would never be served Goldfish without a fruit option.
If you're concerned about the snacks, ask the director about their snack guidelines. However, I wouldn't be surprised to find Goldfish are more of the norm.
I also don't understand why snacks are frowned upon or why three large meals would be preferable. I was under the impression that eating smaller portions of food at more frequent intervals is generally recommended by dietitians over three large meals. I get that goldfish are not the most nutritious snack, but I don't get the point of being anti-snacking in general.
Dude. My kid came home from kindergarten the other day and told me that she had a plastic container with a red spoon that she used to put something that looked like cheese but didn't taste like cheese on crackers. She tried to tell her teacher that it wasn't actually cheese, but the teacher just told her to sit down and eat it. Lol. So yeah. My kid gets to eat Kraft handi-snacks at school because that's what some parent sent in.
So yeah. Goldfish are awesome. Real cheese 4 lyfe.
I also don't understand why snacks are frowned upon or why three large meals would be preferable. I was under the impression that eating smaller portions of food at more frequent intervals is generally recommended by dietitians over three large meals. I get that goldfish are not the most nutritious snack, but I don't get the point of being anti-snacking in general.
Yes I get so confused by the anti-snack mentality I see around here occasionally (not saying Goldfish are an awesome healthy eating decision). I'm all about encouraging DS to eat when he's hungry and stop when he's full and have zero desire to train his stomach into wanting three big meals and no snacks. It's fine by me if others want to, but why is it a superior parenting choice?