to question nursery as to why they are serving jam sandwiches to babies?

[choceyes]

My DD is 14 months old and goes to nursery 3 days a week.

I won't know whether I am being precious or not, but it annoys me that occassionally she gets given jam sandwiches and also tinned spaghetti hoops on toast for her afternoon snack. I would never give these things to her at home. She always has healthy stuff, no treats at all, cos she is not a big eater, so I don't want to fill her up with junk.

My DS, 3yrs, is also at the same nursery, but there's nothing much I can do to stop him eating jam sarnies, as he would want to eat what his friends eat. and as he eats fairly well most of the time he can afford to have the occassional junk.

The nursery lunches are fine, and they also do fruit, chesse, crackers, tuna sandwiches for afternoon snack , so this probably happens about once a week I guess (i mean she gets either jam sarnies or hoops on toast maybe once a week, the rest of the meals are fine).

I dunno really. I was talking to a friend about it at the weekend and she was appalled at the jam sarnies, so got me thinking maybe I should say something to the manager.

I'm not in anyway a health freak, and against giving kids sugar, but not at 14 months, it's too young for me. And the nursery serves them to kids above 12 months I think.

It's just there is NO nutritional value in jam sarnies. I@d rather they gave her a flapjack or something (and they sometimes for the older ones dessert), which although has sugar, has got good things in it too.

The portion sizes in the USA, even in the private homes I've been to, are far too big. The USA has a terrible obesity crisis. You can't say that obesity isn't linked to food.

I am only 5'2 and weighs about 8 stone, so she is never going to that big is she?!

That depends on if you live your life permanently on a diet. Children pick up their parents eating habits, which is why so many young children develop eating disorders themselves.

No way I am on a diet! I still breastfeed my DD and I everday I eat nearly as much as my DH (who cycles 20 miles to work each day and burns nearly 1000 calories extra a day doing this!)

Why would you assume a 5'2" woman weighing 8st was on a diet? That's a totally appropriate size (probably bang on perfect BMI tbh)

well I dont think a jam sandwich is crap, so I'm probably not the best person to offer suggestions as to what exactly. I'm sure one of the others around will have a suggestion though, they seem to know their stuff... [hwink]

Btw, when you said she was small, I assumed you meant smaller than 25th%

choceyes, I really feel now that you are acting like a food snob, singing praises of your own virtuous food choices and not interested in any one's opinion.

You should not have put this in AIBU because you are not interested in listening to anyone who is not agreeing with you.

And yes, YABU. One snack in a week that isn't exactly junk is so not worth fretting over.

laweasel because that could be her natural weight, or it could be that she is permanently eating a low calorie diet to maintain that weight. I know a few people who are naturally slim, but I know many more who spend every day nibbling on salad, and worrying about the calorie content of a digestive biscuit, and if they were to eat a normal diet, then their natural weight would probably be a stone or so heavier, which would still be well within what is deemed as ok.

I watched my mum pick at food for many years, because she didnt want to put any weight on, and she was skin and bone at a size 8. At a size 12, which was her natural body shape she looked healthy.

My dad on the other hand could eat anything, and never put a pound on.

If the OP was 5'2" and eating nothing but salad all day she would weigh a LOT less than 8st, so I think it is unnecessary to worry about what her 'natural' size is. She is certainly a healthy size and that's more relevant than how she looks.

searchsquad - well I like eating good food, and I want to give my kids the same food, and if that makes me a food snob then fine. I am a food snob.

My AIBU was to ask the question whether a nursery should be giving out food like jam sarnies and tinned hoops (it's still junk IMO)to a 14 month old baby.

what food would you suggest that are "treat" and also not crap? I can't think of many. Maybe you have some ideas? I try to give her high fat food like avocado, oily fish, nut butters etc to up her calorie intake

And at special occasions you trip the light fantastic with what? Celery and Cabbage sticks?

Where's the joy in that food?

Sugar is not a poison, it is an essential part of a balanced diet.....Jam and bread have been made by humanity for millennia, without screwing up kids. Modern diet fads otoh seem to have come hand in hand with eating disorders.

OP - the point of this thread is what?

If the MN voice was 'we agree with you' would you have taken the thread to the nursery and they would have said 'ooh MN is right, we will change our mistaken ways immediately' ?

All you can do is ask them not to, they will say ok or sod off, and you can change nurseries or not.

And all that's happened is that you are annoyed with MNers who disagreed with you cos you know you are right. Still, having that knowledge is a warming feeling, no?

Your question was "AIBU to question nursery serving jam sandwiches to babies?"

Some people have said YANBU, as they agree that 14mo don't need any treats.

Lots of people have said YABU, as though a 14mo doesn't NEED treats, neither does anyone and they aren't going to do any damage in the amounts given.

You are just ignoring the majority opinion because you don't agree with it.

"Where's the joy in that food?"

Where is the joy in spaghetti hoops? I rather have a cube of cheese, or an avocado/chicken/goat cheese sandwich , or a slice of good quality cake any time. I cannot understand why nursery cannot offer those options instead (together with millions of others of high quality food).

whatmeworry - you most recent post is a joke surely?
FYI..my DD really LOVES and gets a lot of JOY from eating cucumber actually, and also broccolli. Are they joyeous enough for you? She also finds eating mango JOYFUL..is that joyful enough for you?
I find it bizzaree that you think she will get more joy out of eating a jam sarnie??? She will have a joyful existance don't worry, with parents who will hopefully live long and well into old age and are fit enough to do stuff with her as they have a healthy diet and doesn't equate joy in food to high sugar levels.

OK so the majority verdict is YABU. Right I get it. On the days they have hoops on toast or jam on bread I will ask them to serve her only the bread or toast, and I will send her in with fruit to eat as well.

Choceyes, a childs palate and the sort of food they enjoy is very different to what adults appreciate and enjoy.

I love smoked salmon, with a dollop of red caviar, but I would not expect the average toddler to enjoy it. They would much rather chomp on a fishfinger.

I would suspect that the vast majority of children in the nursery would also prefer a jam butty rather than some sugar free, salt free, taste free bit of cardboard with a smithering of organic mushroom hummous too, even if it was bought from a posh shop..

This thread is making me think of the Catherine Tate sketch with the children who are obsessed with having posh cheeses and pate....

Food for children should be fuel...

I'm just reflecting on what jam to buy for my reintroduction to jam. And it got me thinking, you could buy a jar of the good stuff for the nursery to use?

I pay nearly a grand for them to look after both my DCs. They deserve better than jam sarnies and tinned hoops for that.

On the days they have hoops on toast or jam on bread I will ask them to serve her only the bread or toast, and I will send her in with fruit to eat as well

Way to go! Make your child feel different, make her wonder why she isnt allowed to have what the other children are having. And have the nursery thinking you are some sort of precious mother.. Brilliant!

not my kids squeakytoy - they love salmon, smoked and normal and yesterday DS coudln't get enough of scallops (there went my portion too). He hates fishfingers. Can't get him to eat then even if I try on a busy night.

thesurgeonsmate she said it was high quality 100% fruit jam that they served!

not my kids squeakytoy - they love salmon, smoked and normal and yesterday DS coudln't get enough of scallops (there went my portion too).

That doesnt surprise me... cant think why....

squeakytoy - you are right, that would be a daft idea. I think i will make my own jam sarnies and send them in, with proper jam and better bread. They don't even spread proper butter, just the marg stuff.
I don't know what to do about the tinned hoops, though. I'll talk to the manager about that.

I don't think they do serve the 100% fruit jam. I never said they did.