Post by teatimefor2 on May 29, 2014 22:09:33 GMT -5
Okay, I use the phase clean eating here, but it's not a phase I use IRL. I was just trying to express what we prefer to eat.
In regards to meal size, they are not that large. IMO, it's better to not gaze all day on snacks and I would rather he eat more balanced meals at meal time. I'm not anti-snacking, if DS is legitimately hungry, but I don't see the point in giving a snack for the sake of giving one if he's not hungry. I use to give a snack after nap, but DS showed no interest. If he's hungry, he asks for food and I feed him, obliviously.
I don't think it is a superior parenting choice, it's something I feel is important at this stage in life and the research I've done. Other people don't let their child watch TV/screen time before age two, everyone has their issues.
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.
Thanks for the different perspective. I will ask about the two food group rule at tomorrow's tours.
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.
Not the point of this thread, but I'm going to agree with the judginess of clean eating and "non-processed" food. Especially when they go on about tofu, fake meats, coconut oil, etc. and other processed foods. None of that is found in nature!
I don't like diet labels, unless it's descriptive (ie, Mediterranean diet eats food they typically eat there; Japanese diet would have more rice than corn products, etc.) because it inevitably becomes hypocritical and judge-y. Or the labels can cause food issues down the line because certain foods are good and others are bad and that just seems like the recipe for a bad relationship with food
I agree with what you are saying and DS eats meat. I'm not judging others choices, it's my food preference. Tofu is not 'found' in nature but has been eaten for thousands of years and is significantly less processed than most foods. Sadly in the US, you can only find a few different types, in Asia, there are several types (I think 12) of tofu. I agree completely with the fake meats, coconut oils, etc. The most natural oil is technically olive oil because its separates by itself and does not require machinery like soybean, vegetable oil, etc. I am not just jumping on a lifestyle bandwagon, this is a passion of mine and I research/learn about it.
I've been a vegetarian for most of my life, but also realize the important of meat in DS diet as he develops. The purpose of this question was not to judge, lord know I do enough to be judged frequently and try not to do it, but to figure out if is was being too picky and apparently I am.
I just enrolled DD in a mother's day out program. They serve goldfish and crackers for snack. I will be sending my own snack for DD because I prefer she not eat that when she would be just as happy to eat a healthier option.
I am curious how your British friends handle afternoon tea, my favorite type of snack.
I think if you want 100% control over what and when your child eats, then day care isn't your best option. There are too many kids for the teachers to accommodate every family's preference. They may be flexible on some stuff and willing to work with you on others. I think subbing your own snack is probably reasonable as long as it doesn't need to be stored or prepped (because it would be unreasonable for them to specially prep every kids snack), unless the substitution was due to an allergy or something (not just parental preference).
Day-cares have to try to accommodate the masses. If you insist on 100% control of what and when your kid eats, then you probably should look into a nanny or a babysitter.
I just enrolled DD in a mother's day out program. They serve goldfish and crackers for snack. I will be sending my own snack for DD because I prefer she not eat that when she would be just as happy to eat a healthier option.
I am curious how your British friends handle afternoon tea, my favorite type of snack.
The average working person here doesn't take an "afternoon tea" that consists of anything more than, well, a cup of tea and maybe a biscuit. That's how we handle it.
I would relax on this one. IME the amount the kids eat during a pre-school snack is small, and it is more about the routine and learning manners, etc. On the other hand, I don't think it is a huge deal to bring in your own snack. We have with my oldest and may with DD2 b/c of allergies.
I know I'm chiming in late but I wouldn't worry too much about the snacks. If your DS isn't accustomed to them he probably won't eat much. There is so much variability in how much / how often kids eat just like adults. Some prefer 3 larger meals while some prefer smaller ones with a snack or two. I would definitely ask if you can bring your own snack.
I grew up in a house where treats (sweets, crackers, chips) were very restricted. It did not serve me because I have trouble moderating my intake when these items are around. I'm not saying that your DS will struggle like I did but I believe there is merit to not having forbidden foods. For that reason, I will try to have treats in moderation for DS. FWIW, DS loves goldfish but I don't offer then to him regularly.
The goldfish were just suggested as an example, yes? Then when it's your turn, you can bring in something like organic apples or oranges or baby carrots etc. to at least make sure he has a couple goldfish free days
The parents provide snacks at our preschool. We're supposed to bring in one fruit/veg and then something else "healthy" like yogurt cups, raisins, cheese sticks, etc. But yes a lot of people do bring in things like goldfish or animal crackers just because it's easy and probably cheaper. If it's the case where parents are supposed to bring in two things to provide alternatives, you can just privately tell your son to focus on the produce options.
Unfortunately, aside from fruit or vegetables, you're going to be hard pressed to stay away from processed food because of school regulations that require everything to be packaged (due to allergy/sanitary issues). You're not allowed to bring your own baked goods into public schools in NY anymore for this reason.
Post by barefootcontessa on May 30, 2014 6:33:09 GMT -5
I have not read all the replies but it looks like you are getting some push back. As a mother of older kids, I can see why you are not thrilled about the whole snack idea when you child currently does not have one. My kids got a snack at preschool and currently at elementary school, and now they are conditioned to constantly ask for a snack. It annoys me because "snack" basically means something like crackers and if I do give in and give them a "snack" then they do not eat all of their meal which annoys me. So I see where you are coming from. That being said, there is probably no way for you to avoid this unless you keep him home with you.
Post by karinothing on May 30, 2014 6:43:11 GMT -5
DS doesn't really eat a snack at home, but he will eat one at daycare. The snacks aren't huge or anything. his daycare doesn't actually serve goldfish for snacks but they will serve yogurt + crackers (pretty sure it is like 3 crackers), a pita pizza (so like pita slices with cheese), apple sauce, or a soft preztel.
All his other meals at school have protein, fruit, and veggies. So I figure it is fine. I am not opposed to gold fish though. The portions at daycare really aren't that huge so honestly I would be surprised if you kid could go from 12 to whenever dinner is. That is a long time and they can't just get more food at daycare lunch since there is only a finite amount.
Post by teatimefor2 on May 30, 2014 7:47:56 GMT -5
Thanks for the actual comments. For the record I was speaking about a 2-2.5 hour program where the kids eat their primary meals at home, no daycare where they may have a limited time to eat or limited food.
Neither DH nor I had access to a ton of proceeded food growing up and we have a good relationship with good. Mine was due to my mothers opinion that less processed was better and DH was because that type if food was more expensive. At Xmas they each got to pick one sugary cereal as a gift. So I think DS is okay. Yesterday we made oatmeal choc chip cookies together and he enjoyed them after dinner. Treats are fun in moderation and that's the category I put goldfish in.
I had no idea this post would bring about so many replies and feelings about goldfish.
I don't mind DS1 having goldfish, but I always put them in a trail mix type thing with nuts and craisins.
His preschool does a morning snack and an afternoon snack, which is think is overkill given that he will eat breakfast at 7 and they have lunch at 11:30, but I can't control it. We love the school for so many other reasons that I'm just going to have to let the snacks slide.
I really hate that they are compelled by state law to give every kid milk at lunch. DS1 drinks milk only very occasionally and has never had regular, only organic, which is obviously not given at school. I would really, really prefer they didn't give him milk. So I know where you're coming from.
Most schools will allow you to send in your own food at that age if you want and if there are no known allergies. DS's daycare has big signs for Lizzie who is vegan and Beth who can't have milk and Betsy who is not to eat any center-provided food.
So if you ask they may let you send in something else for him.
I think it is important though for him to learn to eat with others and the social skills involved with that. Also, kids are really active at daycare/preschool. DS doesn't eat snacks really on weekends but at daycare he is starving and eats snacks twice a day with second helpings at lunch and breakfast.
I had no idea this post would bring about so many replies and feelings about goldfish.
It's not about the goldfish, it's your attitude of "they're not good enough for my clean-eating baby." You're still doing it right now.
I think maybe what I am saying is getting lost in type. It's not my baby mentality, it's just the food I prefer to eat. I think they are fine as a treat, which I said, but not daily or weekly. If that pisses you off, sorry. The previous poster said she's not thrilled about the milk laws, are you also going to be snippy with her?
I have to get going. Our next tour is at 10 and for the record, I would happily bring in a snack for the entire class and put my money where my mouth is, but I don't think that allowed due to state regulations either.
It's not about the goldfish, it's your attitude of "they're not good enough for my clean-eating baby." You're still doing it right now.
I think maybe what I am saying is getting lost in type. It's not my baby mentality, it's just the food I prefer to eat. I think they are fine as a treat, which I said, but not daily or weekly. If that pisses you off, sorry. The previous poster said she's not thrilled about the milk laws, are you also going to be snippy with her?
I have to get going. Our next tour is at 10 and for the record, I would happily bring in a snack for the entire class and put my money where my mouth is, but I don't think that allowed due to state regulations either.
don't worry about it. the fact is that they give kids goldfish because it is convenient, shelf-stable and allows the school to be certain of the ingredients so to avoid the whole allergy problem. I can see why you are not thrilled about it, but this is a situation of the greatest good for the greatest number. Like I said upthread, my older kids constantly ask me for a snack now which to them means things like goldfish, crackers, etc. and I find it annoying.
E's last snack is at 2pm. She and DH get home at 4:45ish. Girlfriend is HUNGRY at that point and so gasp, sometimes she gets a 3rd snack, usually fruit, while we're cooking dinner.
Post by karinothing on May 30, 2014 8:45:05 GMT -5
I would find it weird if a school offered goldfish for a snack every day. Ours doesn't offer goldfish though. Our snacks are yogurt + granola, soft pretzels, applesauce + crackers, cheese and crackers, pita pizza, mini burritos, etc.
Also i think I typed this all before and it disappeared.
E's last snack is at 2pm. She and DH get home at 4:45ish. Girlfriend is HUNGRY at that point and so gasp, sometimes she gets a 3rd snack, usually fruit, while we're cooking dinner.
For real. As soon as we feed the dogs, she's pointing at the pantry and saying "apuhl?" until we give her an applesauce pouch.
I don't do Goldfish as a regular snack for my dc kids, but it's a treat every now and then. I do fruit, yogurt, cheese, homemade fruit breads or granola bars, and veggies with dip usually. But my "thing" is food so my clients know that upfront.
I think it's necessary for kids to snack during the day. I can't imagine not feeding them between meals, they simply wouldn't last more than a few hours. They burn energy incredibly fast so they need food and rest to sustain them through the day. They would be miserable any other way.
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.
I am not a fan of big meals. DH and I both have about 5 small meals throughout the day, with dinner being the smallest meal. I guess it all depends on your body-type and your metabolism, but everything I've read seems to indicate that eating frequent small meals is healthy.
I just enrolled DD in a mother's day out program. They serve goldfish and crackers for snack. I will be sending my own snack for DD because I prefer she not eat that when she would be just as happy to eat a healthier option.
I am curious how your British friends handle afternoon tea, my favorite type of snack.
The average working person here doesn't take an "afternoon tea" that consists of anything more than, well, a cup of tea and maybe a biscuit. That's how we handle it.
Across the channel, the French are practically religious about their "gouter." DH says all the people at his office would go out to the boulangerie at 4:30 pm on the dot for their afternoon croissant or baked good.
Agree with most of the previous posters. You are being picky. I agree snack time is also about socializing and learning manners. Also, I know I can't go more then 3 hours without putting something in my mouth.....not sure if my 20 month old can.
M gets Annie's bunnies all the time- kid is never happier then chowing on some bunnies. :-)