To think cheese is a healthy snack?

[insuranceidiot]

Maybe I am. I gave my LB cheese chunks in a little pot and a small bottle of water for his Break today on his first day in Primary school. He loves this and has it at home. He came home with a note saying in future to send a healthy nutritious snack in future.

Can I ask what u would send as a Healthy snack to school please?

It's absolutely a healthy snack. Calcium, protein and the right sort of fats for a growing child. I would question the school on why this isn't considered healthy, it's a ridiculous notion.

When I was at school (primary and secondary) we had a tuck shop selling crisps and sweets at break. My snack usually consisted of a club biscuit and some squash and yet I have managed to be a healthy weight and eat lots of fruit and veg my whole life.
Cheese is soooo much better than what we used to have and much more filling than fruit. The school is being OTT.

I would describe myself as a bit of a food nazi in terms of wanting my kids to eat nutritious meals/snacks.

I don't see how cheese can be categorised as not nutritious - I would have expected a note like that if you had given crisps, chocolate, sweets, donuts or even a sugary snack bar but not cheese - thats insane!

growing bones need calcium.

unbelievable - I'd have a word as its not a great message to give your child

Reducing cheese /dairy maybe right for a middle aged overweight person who needs to cut down on fat but not a child unless they were obese/on a specific diet for health issues

Send a note "I find it disturbing you are asking me to disregard advice from one of the health PROFESSIONALS who provide advice to me on diet. Please inform me of your health/dietary qualifications. Otherwise I will expect no further discussion or I may be forced, reluctantly, to take this up with the school management"

"He came home with a note saying in future to send a healthy nutritious snack in future. "

I'd send the cheese in again then!

Send a note "I find it disturbing you are asking me to disregard advice from one of the health PROFESSIONALS who provide advice to me on diet. Please inform me of your health/dietary qualifications. Otherwise I will expect no further discussion or I may be forced, reluctantly, to take this up with the school management"

OP's son is only just starting reception, why not keep the powder dry for now.

I'd start with a diplomatic response, like 'Cheese is in fact quite healthy and Henry loves it - can we agree to disagree here? Thanks.'

Jesus christ, I wish DS would have cheese as a snack! If his school complained (they never have as he enjoys a healthy and balanced diet despite my love of junk ) I'd send in the section if the paediatrician's report that says he needs more carbs and healthy fats to put on weight, highlighted, in his lunchbox. They've already said he can't bring in sunflower and pumpkin seeds (apparently they're classed as nuts, FFS) and suggested something else (won't say what as it's weird and will out me), which I'm allergic to and can't prepare/have in the house. Paediatrician suggested cheese, but DS only likes it hot and melted (and lactose free!).

School food policies piss me right off, especially considering what they serve for school dinners - chips, pizza etc!

Of course it's a healthy snack. There is a lot of nonsense and misunderstanding around the schools healthy eating policies I think. Yes, cheese is high in fat and salt but this depends on the amount and the context of the rest of his diet. A reception age child (unless he is overweight) needs energy giving foods, not just fruit and veg. Things like raisins are probably acceptable under the school policy, but a disaster from the dental point of view, while nuts, which have few downsides seem to be banned everywhere in case of a hypothetical nut allergy sufferer happening by. In dD's school, Fruit Bowl products are allowed under the healthy eating banner, she pestered me into buying her the yoghurt coated raspberry things, 62% sugar!!! A thousand times better to have a bit of cheese.

Christ, it's CHEESE ffs, not crack cocaine.

This would really upset me - it seems to imply that you don't give a monkey's about your child's health, when actually you have given him something perfectly nutritious and filling and tasty and free of sugar! I would ask them what their definition of "healthy and nutritious" is, and ask why that doesn't include sources of protein, fat and calcium.

...oh and vitamins A and D

I don't think this is anything new round here. When I started school over 30 years ago we were only allowed to take a peice of fruit for snack at break time. We used to have to draw round it on a peice of paper on the side and write our name in the shape.

I'm more surprised that the school haven't communicated there fruit/veg policy to you when no doubt they have given you reams of paper work to sift through.
My dc at first school are only allowed fruit/veg for a snack. Then they go up to the middle school and the tuck shop is selling pizza/cake/crisps for morning snack. I know which one I'd rather my child ate.
Please don't make a thing about this at school. It's the first day of a very long road, try to start it positively and let this go.

This would really annoy me. Cheese is very healthy for a little one and also has no adverse effect on teeth, unlike fruit.

I suppose the advice on 'healthy' food will change soon. We were what my mum used to call a 'cheesy' family - we all loved cheese - protein, calcium and all that but I understand that nutritionists are asking why we still eat it. Recently I read that one tablespoon of Grana Padana cheese each day will help to lower blood pressure. I don't know what to believe and I take little notice any more.

Cheese is a perfectly fine snack, I wish my dd's would eat more of it. I wouldn't be happy with this.

I'm not sure if I'd take this up with the school, pick your battles and all that. But I would consider adding some carrot sticks/fruit WITH the cheese to see if they say anything then. Or alternatively if he has a packed lunch I would take something from that and swap it with the cheese and have the cheese chunks with lunch instead.

Send a note back saying it's reduced fat cheddar (30% less fat.)

Our school has cheese bread sticks fruit amd veg sticks out for their snacks nursery to year 3 thats absolutely bull that cheese isnt a healthy snack especially if it wasnt the plastic cheese like strings etc

Completely agree Maryann.
Why go on the attack about this? Talk to the school ffs!

Ask the school to provide the evidence that fat is dangerous i the diet and when they cant provide it (and they won't because it doesn't exist) then tell them your son will eat as much cheese as he wants until the evidence exists.

Plenty of evidence that fruit in excess is dangerous though. Plus they give small children skim milk - for what purpose. Where is the nutrition in that?

I would not have an issue with a child having cheese at all. Some children need more fat and cheese is a healthy option.
Things I have removed from children: haribo, a cold mcdonalds hamburger, shandy. It could be worse..

Things I have removed from children: haribo, a cold mcdonalds hamburger, shandy. It could be worse..
how could they think that appropriate to send their DC to school with

Shandy??

What's wrong with a cold McDonald's burger?
Why was it removed?

Grass...send grass, EVERYTHING and anything is now considered wrong, I read a post where a mum was told fruit wasn't allowed to be sent in to nursery as a snack as it was too sugary. You cannot win. It's ridiculous

I am just so glad that I no longer have any more primary school aged children.

I never could stick the food/lunchbox police. Secondary school is much less in your face for this sort of thing.