AIBU - restrictive school snack policy, hungry child

[nemoni]

Our children's school (primary) has a policy of only allowing fruit and vegetables for snacks at school. Completely get the rationale - healthy eating, relatively easy to set parameters, no overly complex education needed around it etc.

The only problem is I have an active child - plays sport (on top of PE etc) 5 days a week and generally on the go. He comes home from school ravenously hungry, grumpy and tired. He's also going through a growth spurt. I'd like to be able to give him more carbohydrates, even protein, during the day as snacks, as I do on weekends, particularly on days he goes to after school sports sessions. I'm not asking for crisps/chocolate/jam sandwiches etc.

School so far saying no, no, no.

I think it's a cop out, it means they get to look like they're promoting healthy eating while not really promoting a balanced diet, kids are scoffing loads of dried fruit, and don't have access to a water fountain during school hours except at lunch. And don't get me started on school dinners.

Am I being unreasonable?! What parameters does your school set? How do they promote and support healthy eating? Thoughts welcome before I book a chat with the headteacher :)

[Tobuyornot99]

By snacks what do you mean? Break time snacks, or the stuff that actually goes into his lunch box?

[SoupDragon]

I would send him with a huge packed lunch.

[Pollypickypocket]

Big packed lunch - don't thank me

[LittleIda]

I agree with you. We could only give fruit and I'd like to have given a bit more, maybe just some milk like i had in the 70s

[BarbarianMum]

Big breakfast, lots of protein. Big packed lunch. Snack straight after school. He really won't need more than a bit of fruit in between times.

[ShowMePotatoSalad]

Big packed lunch and bananas for his snacks. Professional tennis players use them for energy so I'm sure they're suitable for your DS.

[Floggingmolly]

Can't he have a snack on the way home if he's hungry? If he has a big breakfast and reasonable lunch, I can't see the problem...
School does not have to facilitate an endless stream of snacks for your child

[winewolfhowls]

There were no such thing as snacks at primary school when I was wee. We were after the milk era but before this new fad for feeding kids all the time, although I understand in your case it is necessary. Could you provide a cooked breakfast and a snack in the car on the way to the sports

[GreenTshirt55]

Large protein-heavy breakfast and lunch.

No need for continuous snacking.

[WindwardCircle]

DDs school has a fresh (not dried) fruit or veg only snack policy. How would a carb/protein snack policy work? For every person who sends in something sensible there would be several more who interpret this as crisps, biscuits, sweets and so on, and the school would spend the whole of break time policing snacks. Easiest to just say fruit or veg only and have done with it.

[Annesmyth123]

I hate to,say it but just make him a bigger packed lunch. Kids don't need to snack all the time.

Big breakfast with something good to eat in the way to school, big break, big packed lunch and snack between school and club and he will be fine.

[MackerelOfFact]

Give him a snack for the way home? Or just more lunch? The primary school day is, what, 7 hours? He surely shouldn't need more than one meal and one snack in that time?

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

Talk to them about the implications for teeth of dried fruit esp if no access to water. Some schools esp independent ones don't let you bring a packed lunch but I agree that if that is an option it might help.

[wrinkleseverywhere]

All of these responses are dependant on the OP's child having packed lunches. If the child has FSM, giving him a packed lunch may not be an option.

[Pastaagain78]

Big breakfast, big packed lunch, pick up with a snack. Mine don't like fruit or veg for snack but those are the rules and are easy to supervise. I do agree with snack policies but lunch box police is another thing altogether!

[Andrewofgg]

Schools have to have practices which everyone conforms to. You will have to go along. But do press for better access to water.

[Nonibaloni]

Bananas.

[Annesmyth123]

We didn't have unlimited access to water either. We had a drink at break (squash in a metal cup) and a drink of water with lunch (again in a metal cup) and nothing else until we got home. There were fountains in the playground and toilets if we were desperately thirsty outside these times.

[Veterinari]

Why don't you send a small pot of lentil/bean/chickpea salad? Carrot sticks, bananas etc rather than dried fruit ?
If he has good protein-rich meals then lighter snacks should be fine.

What are his meals like?

[noramum]

Our school only allows fresh fruit/veg and I think that is plenty. How hungry can a child be between breakfast and lunch?

Look into high protein breakfasts and give a good size lunch with lots of different things. Then have a decent snack available when he comes home.

We never do early tea, DD gets cereals, sandwich, cake and fruit when she comes home and then dinner with us later.

[BarbaraofSeville]

Could he take a large packed lunch and 'forget' to eat something from it like a piece of cheese/mini babybell until afternoon break? Cheese is fine unfrigerated for the school day.

[WhiskyTangoFoxtrot]

I'd go for bigger meals and bananas.

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

This snack thing again! None of mine snack, just like I didn't. Proper breakfast, decent sized lunch and dinner sees them through just fine, occasional cheese and biscuits as supper.

I'd suggest cooking him a high protein high carbon breakfast and a bigger packed lunch.

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

carbohydrate obviously, not carbon!

[edwinbear]

DS (7) is also very sporty doing c.20 hours a week, some days with sports lessons, lunchtime team practices and after school clubs he's doing 4 hours a day. We have a fresh fruit/vegetable only policy (no dried fruit) but he manages fine. I just send him in with two or three pieces of fruit.