To think that I nursery should not really offer Coco Pops for breakfast.

[SuzysZoo]

That's it really. At first nursery they had to offer healthy and sugar free cereals. New nursery and they have coco pops I just found out today. I am a bit surprised as I thought it had to be all healthy eating etc. Does anyone know? The kids love their new nursery - no wonder! They are 3 if that is relevant....

37is weetabix

'Regular' Cheerios here seem to have added sugar, though, whereas in America they do not - so while they are ranked third on that list, the UK version wouldn't be as healthy!

35grams of sugar per 100grams!!!! (more and more research coming out now about the additive/compulsive properties of sugar. Really bad news for young kids to be started on a lifelong path of sugar consumption)

[tuts]

thanks for the lesson in nutrition Kiwi

Ofsted don't impose rules like no plastic bags on the premises. I doubt they specify exactly what food has to be provided, though there is probaby a Healthy Eating guide somewhere - anyone located it and can do a link to it?

Coco pops may be a choice, or are you saying that there is no choice given? Children can be fussy about food so not everyone will want cocopops.

But,

I'd raaaaather have a bowl of coco pops!

I would be quite pleased about it if my DD was there having coco pops. As would she. That's all that matters. As long as they have a good mix in addition.

But just because there is similar amounts of sugar in a glass or pure fruit juice, doesn't mean that the one with more sugar is more unhealthy? Can't some people see the difference between refined sugar and natural fruit sugars and vitamins? You might as well give them biscuits or empty ice cream cones for breakfast if you are not going to consider other nutrients that might be beneficial first thing in the morning.

11g in 30g coco pops. 3g in 30g rice crispies.
Euuw thought the crispies were bad - 10% sugar until you see the pops are 30%!!
Still way less than in jam on toast though apparently (so Kelloggs claim!)
Also - watch out for own brands - their sugar levels have be found to be way higher than branded

You're welcome, LaJardin

It drives me NUTS that such a big deal is made about the benefits of breastfeeding in terms of nutrition etcetera etcetera and then all of a sudden people think its okay for toddlers in nursery to be given all manner of crap. It's like all bets are off, folks, go ahead and feed them shit!

These things just frustrate me about child care settings. It's not any cheaper to have the junk in this case. If they can't be arsed or don't have the resources to be making porridge/eggs etc then what is wrong with wholemeal toast and a selection of fruit?

Coco pops is one of the few cereals my DS3 that has severe allergies to Cow's Milk Protein, Nuts and Soy can eat, so for that alone YABU.

Believe it or not, there is no chocolate or dairy products in coco pops. The 'coco' part in the name alludes to the fact that they are made with cocoa powder. With no added dairy. And they are not produced in a factory that handles either nuts, milk or soy.

So if the nursery fed my DS3 coco pops, I wouldn't give a crap. The only other cereals my DS3 can have are Kellogg's Froot Loops, or bastarding Nestlé Cheerios.

So coco pops are the lesser of 3 evils, as they actually have less sugar than the other two as well.

My DS3 cannot eat ANY porridge on the UK market. They all have been produced in factories that handle either nut products, milk products, or have soy lecithin in them.

Well my dc make their own mix of coco pops shreddies and golden balls so there well and truly fucked with sugar consumption. Sometimes I chop a banana on the top/grapes/raisens they also have orange/apple juice. 9% isn't a lot to get fussed about IMO but thanks for the links.

Mind you, his typical breakfast is either a boiled or poached egg, or a fruit pot with a small handful (the size of his fist, a 30g recommendation is for an ADULT, not a toddler btw) of cereal.

If a 30g bowl is the recommended serving for a fully grown adult, does it not make most people assume that a toddler should be having a far smaller portion of cereal as PART of a breakfast, rather than a full 30g as their ENTIRE breakfast?

Or am I just odd in thinking this?

You better watch out, your child may become obese after eating the co co pops. Run. Run for the hills.

Ds has toast and jam (sugar free)
Fruit
Small bowl cereal of a variation

Coco the monkey will catch you though fake.

I sometimes turn the oven on and warm up chocolate croissants (hows that for sugar sugar police) or waffles with honey mmmmmm.

That is really. To offering nutrional value and besides which, what about the children's teeth? Presumably they don't brush their teeth afterwards.

Sorry but I am very anti sugar especially at breakfast time!!!

my kids have a range of different cereal. Some are sugary. BUT never coco pops because my eldest (8) goes mental on them. His eyes go funny and he shakes and then goes wild. We stayed at my sisters and she gave him some for breakfast, when i saw him, the first thing i asked was if he had coco pops and when they said yes, i just said wait for it..... 2 mins later he was like a whirlwind. so i dont agree with giving cocopops to nursery kids.

No, I wouldn't be too impressed by a nursery offering coco pops either. We're a weetabix/ready brek breakfast house - or toast.

Sugar laden cereals are definitely a rare holiday treat.