School "healthy eating"

[QueenBear]

Just want ti make it clear before i post that I am very happy with the education my DS receives, he has come on in leaps and bounds so no issues with the school "academically" - however I cant hell but feel a bit confused over this one.

Current topic is "healthy eating". Children have been keeping food diaries of the fruit and veg eaten etc. Having guests come in to do exercise class this week ( as well as pe) etc - all well and good ( considering my mom calls me the "food police" 😂 )

But... he has come home with a letter saying that as part of their "healthy eating" a £3 contribution for a class trip to..... Frankie and Bennys for pizza making?!?

How on EARTH is that healthy? I assumed a class trip to a farm to fruit pick.. or a letter to ask each child to bring in a different fruit to make a fruit salad etc.. but no. Pizza. Now we do have treats once a month at home, we have made a pizza together before and have a baking session monthly where we have quality time together in the kitchen. But either i am being an idiot, or unreasonable to understand why the pizza making is a healthy school trip!!! Anyone able to make me have the aha moment and understand?

[Thefitfatty]

I suppose it's dependent what they put on the pizza? We often put spinach and garlic, a bit of cheese and olive oil on whole wheat bread.

[graciestocksfield]

I guess the school do it because it's fun, easy and some restaurants often offer these activities at a low cost for schools. DD2 did the same at Pizza Express in their healthy eating topic. They learn how food is made and the ingredients. A freshly made pizza could have two or three portions of fruit and veg on it and provides protein, fat, carbs and a bit of fibre in the base.

[QueenBear]

Oh thankyou - that helps! I have images of just big greasy pizza with lashings of cheese and pepperoni! I dont class any pizza as healthy, but i am seeing your viewpoint! Thankyou!

[littleurnlottie]

My daughter did this trip a few years ago, not sure if it was under banner of 'healthy eating' but they also made smoothies as well as pizza. She loved it and still talks about it now!

[Yukbuck]

I think so long and they teach them that it's all about having it as part of a healthy diet then I can't see the big problem. I agree with you that it's definitely not the healthiest. But if they chuck lots of veg and some chicken on then it's not the worst in the world. Plus they could have a few slices with some veg or salad!

[Rainydayspending]

Well done op. Aren't you a hero.

[graciestocksfield]

I don't class pizza as healthy

Perhaps you need to sit in on some of the lessons. There is no such thing as healthy and unhealthy food.

[Wishiwasmoiradingle2017]

Great incentive to get them contributing to making healthy meals at home!

[A1Sharon]

A deep pan with double cheese and processed meats is probably not that healthy. But its still ok to eat it occasionally.
But there are lots of independent pizzerias that make delicious, fresh wholesome pizzas.
The Italians follow a Mediterranean diet for goodness sake!
I also think you are missing the entire point of the 'Healthy Eating' programme they are doing. No one wants to eat steamed veg and lettuce all day every day. Its all about moderation, not over eating, fresh food in its most natural state, variety, portion control, etc etc. If you think eating a pizza is unhealthy then you have an issue with food OP.
Eating pizza every day = not healthy.
Eating a pizza=healthy and normal.
You sound like someone who has 'good food' and 'bad food'.

[QueenBear]

As I said, i view it as a "treat" as in we have it maybe once a month. I have no issues as food, but the pster who claims "there is no such thing as healthy or unhealthy food" really? So i shall only eat chocolate and crisps and high saturated fats foods but its okay i will be fine... as no such thing as unhealthy?

Poster who said about the italians - yes fair point well made. I am presuming the school are teaching about moderation. But the letter stated "as part of our healthy eating week we shall be making pizza at f&b"

I have no "issues" with food. My ds eats a well, varied diet. My issue was the pizza being construed as "healthy eating" when it is not and is a treat item being taught that at such a young age

[DontTouchTheMoustache]

Pizza can be perfectly "healthy" when made fresh, I make ds pizzas frequently with lots of veg and just a sprinkling of cheese. I make the pizza base with natural yoghurt and sr flour and that's it, nothing much unhealthy there.

[LittleIda]

I don't see pizza as junk food if made from scratch

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

Hubby makes them at home and I don't think they are that unhealthy. Tomato purée, wholemeal flour base, cheese and vegetables isn't any worse than lots of other meals.

[Mrscog]

Pizza isn't a 'treat' though is it - some take away pizzas might be but their mostly just the same as a cheese and tomato sandwich, probably with the bonus of a few extra veg.

Nice cheap easy healthy meal here!

Although in my experience Frankie and Bennies pizzas tend to verge more on 'treat' territory.

[Thefitfatty]

My issue was the pizza being construed as "healthy eating" when it is not and is a treat item being taught that at such a young age.

But it isn't unhealthy if prepared at home without lots of processed meat and cheese.

[IamFriedSpam]

I can totally understand why they do this. A homemade pizza can absolutely be a healthy meal. It has carbs, protein can easily have two or three portions of veg. cheese is healthy if you don't eat it in excess. It's probably much healthier than going fruit picking and gorging on raspberries!

[finagler]

Frankie and bennys pizzas are pretty far from healthy. I'm with you OP but the kids will probably enjoy it.

[IamFriedSpam]

My issue was the pizza being construed as "healthy eating" when it is not and is a treat item being taught that at such a young age.

Why would homemade pizza be unhealthy? (Unless it's from pizza hut and dripping in trans fat and processed meat). They're probably trying to teach a more enlightened approach to food than you're thinking of. You shouldn't separate foods into healthy and unhealthy but get a balanced diet with a wide variety of fruit and veg but also include carbs and fats. A homemade pizza can do that really well.

[IamFriedSpam]

(Never been to F&B so no idea what they're pizza is like)

[graciestocksfield]

There is no such thing as healthy or unhealthy food" hmm really? So i shall only eat chocolate and crisps and high saturated fats foods but its okay i will be fine... as no such thing as unhealthy?

Oh dear, you really do need to sit in on those lessons. Yes it is fine to have all those things as part of a balanced diet. Which means you have some foods a lot more frequently than others.

[finagler]

Unless it's from pizza hut and dripping in trans fat and processed meat)

Yup. That just about sums up f and bs

[EeyoreNeededMedication]

Pizza can be healthy as others said.

I wouldn't make one with spinach and garlic as when we do it's supposed to be a bit of a treat but with thinly sliced parma ham, mozzarella and pasatta on home made bases, it's reasonably healthy.

Healthy eating is also about balance. Pizza every month or a Chinese or an Indian etc aren't the end of the world as long as it's a rarity and balanced with eating healthily the rest of the time.

A lot of healthy eating begins with knowing how to cook. Not putting Iceland stuff into the oven but rolling dough, spreading sauce etc. Lack of confidence in the kitchen is a large part of the obesity crisis.

[2017couldbegood]

Ds went with school to pizza express and they made margarita pizza, from what I saw the kids weren't allowed to go overboard with the cheese, so it wasn't all greasy or dripping with cheese.

[Thefitfatty]

I wouldn't make one with spinach and garlic as when we do it's supposed to be a bit of a treat but with thinly sliced parma ham, mozzarella and pasatta on home made bases, it's reasonably healthy.

I LOVE spinach, garlic, cheese and bread so I guess it is a treat for me. :D we do make homemade with parma ham, mozzarella and pasatta as well, but not as often. :)

[helpmeplease2045]

YANBU!

Pizza from Frankie and Bennys it not healthy! Far too high in salt for a start and probably hidden sugars! (plus excess fat content, too big portion sizes etc).

Even if it is ok 'in moderation' why it would be part of a healthy eating topic baffles me!

Homemade pizza at home with lots of veggies etc can be a healthy option though I feel.