About toddler group snacks?

[youcankeepyourhead]

I wanted to mention/discuss with you my concerns about some toddler groups snack options.

I went to a group last week - at snack time, they gave the children: crisps, biscuits and juice (squash that's full of sugar). I changed the juice for water and gave my child the snack I'd brought with me (cheese sandwich and quartered grapes)

It does not teach the children healthy eating nor does it show a good example to parents. I believe that these groups should be offering fruit, raisins, rice cakes, milk or water.

Am I the only mum who thinks these unhealthy snakes are unacceptable? So my question is, do you think it's acceptable for these groups to offer our children unhealthy snacks?

I don't see any problem with it once a week at a baby group. A cheese sandwich is a huge snack, my toddler wouldn't have any lunch if she had a sandwich and fruit as a snack, to be honest that would be her lunch!

Even if groups charge £2 (or more or less), it barely covers the costs of hiring the hall/replacing toys/teas/snacks/heating/etc. Most of the groups are run by volunteers.

The best options are to either bring your own snacks, organise parents to bring fruits to share (by also offering to cut up fruits/wash up afterwards), or to stay at home.

I have yet to work out why people are constantly giving their children snacks. My kids tended to look at someone in bewilderment if offered a snack. They still seem to be growing.
I also don't understand why cakes etc. are given as pudding at nursery. Have never understood the obligatory pudding thing.

Have also noticed a language difference. 'Would you like a snack?' vs 'Would you like snack?'. Odd... Have always used the former, but not sure which is correct or why.

Catsize I used to feel like an alien at toddler groups as my kids were more than capable of lasting a couple of hours without a snack so I didn't take one. However I ended up taking food in the end as mine would look at the other children's snacks with hungry eyes thus shaming me into conforming!

Choco fair enough but the sign by the money bowl always says 'to cover the cost of tea and coffee and snacks'. These things are usually held in a church hall, the toys are often donated. That said, I don't mind paying and I wouldn't complain about lack of fruit etc but I don't think biscuits and crisps every week are necessary. Breadsticks aren't expensive..

My DS wouldn't last without a mid-morning snack. If he's had breakfast at 8 and isn't getting lunch until we get home at 12 then he'll be hungry in between. If I give him something just before we go in, he's not really hungry; if I wait to we come out then it's too close to lunch. I mean, I'd be happy to bring snacks myself, but if they're there, I'll take them. Also means the adults can have biscuits without the children wanting share :)

Toddlers tend to eat little and often? I've alway given a mid morning and afternoon snack a do lots of parents. They have tiny tummies so waiting 4 hours or so between meals is a long time! I usually just do fruit or crackers though.

If he's had breakfast at 8 and isn't getting lunch until we get home at 12 then he'll be hungry in between - but does it really matter if a child is 'hungry' - I agree that we all eat far too many snacks and food in between meals.

It is actually quite good to be a little hungry before your next meal - so many of us (myself included) never really recognise what hunger is like because we constantly graze between meals and the vast majority of us eat far too much.

In his case, yes, he has a meltdown and then gets so beyond himself that he can't eat. He eats small amounts anyway, and he's only 16 months, so I want to make sure he's getting enough. I've read several NHS leaflets which have advised giving 3 meals + snacks in between.

Don't worry belfast, children are all different just like adults. I think it's not quite right to say "we all" eat too much between meals. My DH is only just the right weight (almost underweight) and he snacks a lot. I hardly ever snack and am a little overweight. Little and often is what suits some children (and adults) and can be perfectly healthy IMHO.

I run one. We give out juice and water (some of each so kids/parents can choose. Usually we go through 10 juices per 1 water) we also give out biscuits, usually some plain some more exciting.

The group is totally free for parents and runs off donations. I don't have the time or funds to mess about with cutting up fruit. If you don't want your kid to have a biscuit bring your own snack tbh.

I've never had anyone moan in 3 years of running this way.

Mine are 6 and 4, and have always snacked in-between meals. Breakfast usually 7.30, snack at 10ish (preschool and school), lunch 12ish, snack after school 3.30 and then dinner at 6pm.

I thought it was better to have small meals but often to regular blood sugar levels? I feel tired and dizzy if I don't have a snack in the morning and my two get cranky if they miss their snack times.

The playgroup I go to provides biscuits and squash/water. If I want to give my children something else to eat then I bring other snacks with me. To be honest a biscuit or two once a week is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things

Another reason why I am glad I didn't go to these groups. So much hand wringing, angst and fury over snacks. I would have been apoplectic if there had been no biscuits.

A completely optional activity OP, primary purpose is to socialize and eat biscuits in a safe environment. I think everyone is in agreement that it is not their role to educate or be responsible for disseminating good parental values.