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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think cheese is a healthy snack?

331 replies

insuranceidiot · 31/08/2016 21:07

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?

OP posts:
Topseyt · 02/09/2016 21:35

Caitlin, I do too.

I clearly remember his school meals crusade against the Turkey Twizzler. He may have had a point, but as usual it was lost because it went way too far. The obsession schools, primary in particular, have with snooping in children's lunchboxes can be traced directly back to that.

Parents do not like being lectured by him or by schools about feeding their children.

Michellelovesizzy · 02/09/2016 21:36

U would think u had sent ur child In with left of Donna and chips!!! Looool that's a joke some cheese and water!

Youknowitmakessense · 02/09/2016 21:37

It is a healthy snack. Far healthier than sugary fruit ( yes I know there's fibre and minerals) but growing kids need more than carbs. They need protein and they need fat.

Fed up of fat being demonised, a full fat calcium snack far better than empty carbs.

Grrrrr.

deltacrook · 02/09/2016 21:44

Posters who say cheese is not healthy really need to educate themselves.

BlackeyedSusan · 02/09/2016 21:49

I would say that it is not the healthiest snack... (salty) however, I would be pissed off with being told I could not send it. (because they do not know his whole diet, and something with calcium is recommended in packed lunches. and you plan what they eat throughout the day and I would rather cheese than sugary yogurty crap) and ffs have you seen the cheese based dishes they provide for veggies?

SherlockPotter · 02/09/2016 21:51

I wouldn't say cheese is that healthy if I'm honest! I mean it does contain calcium and protein but it also contains a high content of salt and saturated fat and some cheeses can be calorific, but I guess if it's part of a balanced diet and it's a small amount I can't see why it's an issue!

TaIkinPeace · 02/09/2016 21:59

Cheese is

  • low sugar
  • high calcium
  • high protein
  • high nutrient
EXCELLENT food for kuids
Sugarcoma · 02/09/2016 22:16

Yes it's healthy. Maybe could add in a few cubes of cucumber or olives too? School is being unreasonable and I would get in contact with them. People are so uneducated about nutrition it's ridiculous.

Roversandrhodes · 02/09/2016 22:29

Wtf?the world or schools perhaps have gone made.Id be seriously annoyed if I were you ,God you'd think you'd sent him in a tub of fizzy sweets and a can of redbull ,Jesus.
Cheese in a snack sized amount is perfect for a child of that age ,they need fat and calcium !im angry for you

Roversandrhodes · 02/09/2016 22:31

I would like to add that I blame Jamie Oliver for this kind of shit

mathanxiety · 02/09/2016 22:42

Cheese is a great snack. It has calcium and protein. And fat and salt, both of which we need. Plus some vitamins and minerals.

Your child is being educated by ignoramuses.

FlorisApple · 02/09/2016 22:44

Cheese is a great snack imho. But I'm absolutely amazed that you were sent a note home on his FIRST DAY! What a way to start a positive relationship between parents and school! NOT.

whineanddine · 02/09/2016 22:55

YANBU!!!! My twins always had a banana for a snack, and a sandwich and milk for lunch (they never wanted anything else). At one point, they didn't even want the sandwich (but they did eat a lot at breakfast and also had a very large dinner at night). Their teacher was worried about their lack of food, and when I pointed out that they didn't seem to be hungry at lunchtime, she suggested that I give them sandwiches with chocolate spread. (!) All this to say: kids know their own metabolism, and you as your mother know what's right for them. Also, cheese is a perfectly healthy part of a nutritionally balanced diet, and as other posters have noted, carrot sticks are just not enough for a growing child!

HormonalHeap · 02/09/2016 22:58

Straight to your arteries. Passionate about cheese but been told by gp to cut it to a minimum.

manicmij · 02/09/2016 23:00

Haven't read all the responses so apologies if this is a repeat. . Does the school have issues regarding keeping dairy foods cool? Could you have received a standard letter about "healthy" snacks intending to address storage issues. Of course cheese is a healthy snack for young ones and what else can you offer if the child doesn't enjoy fruit/raw veg. Ask for a list of what you can provide that in the school's view is healthy. They must have some sort of guidance or else they wouldn't have commented on cheese. How about rice crackers?

IonaNE · 02/09/2016 23:03

Cheese is blocks of fat. And we are talking about a snack, so calcium and protein can be provided at the main meals. Carrot sticks, some nuts, low-sugar fruit (e.g. apple).

asdfghjjkl · 02/09/2016 23:14

my 3 yr old gd who lives with mrs is tiny and needed to gain weight hv advised carbs to build her up he packed lunch has been for last year marmite sandwich , cheese cubes , grapes and small cake , she is just starting new pre school who stress on healthy lunch meaning I'm sure loads of veg sticks which art going to help her weight gain i can see trouble ahead

mathanxiety · 02/09/2016 23:15

Cheese is blocks of calcium and protein, plus fat. It will keep hunger at bay, provide nutrition, keep bacteria at bay in the mouth, and provide energy without the risk of a sugar high.

Nuts have a lot of fat as well as various nutrients. Again, ideal.

Same goes for avocado.

Hard boiled eggs would be great too.

Carrots have a high sugar content and they won't keep you going for long. Apples do not have a low sugar content. They are not the highest but they certainly are not low. You may be confused with low GI which is not the same thing.
www.thehealthyeatingguide.com/sugar-content-of-fruit/

Why not eat the vitamins at dinner along with other components of a balanced meal?

bakeoffcake · 02/09/2016 23:17

You aren't allowed nuts in most schools IonaNE.
And there's nothing wrong with a child having some cheese as a snack, they need fat to grow. Carrot sticks do not satisfy in quite the same way. Carrots sticks and humous would be good but I expect that would be "too fatty" for some, as wellHmm

Mycraneisfixed · 02/09/2016 23:37

Add a few sticks of cucumber and it'll be ok. Don't be "that mother" who goes against school rules.

PickAChew · 02/09/2016 23:41

I'm sure Jamie fucking Oliver would be all over a few cubes of Manchego or a little shaved Parmesan to nibble on, served with some olives or pickled artichokes.

PickAChew · 02/09/2016 23:45

ionaNE, it doesn't matter when in the day macronutrients are provided, so long as they meet overall nutrient needs - not even on a daily basis. Weekly is fine.

The key to a healthy diet is providing sufficient healthy fats, protein and other nutrients, through the day (week), in proportions that aren't so calorific as to make you fat.

AndNowItsSeven · 02/09/2016 23:47

Write the school a reply saying they must be confused with cheese puffs.

kateandme · 03/09/2016 02:49

send him with a note next time saying cheese is a healthy snack and to piss of telling you how to look after your child. but the fact is it is is is a healthy thing to have,full of calcium for gorwing bones.its not bad fats compared to fake food.all natural.no added sugar or preserves.proteins and so much more good stuff in cheese.

Dontyoulovecalpol · 03/09/2016 04:03

It is ironic that posters are counteracting the lack of knowledge the school have re cheese with their own re fruit. It's like Gillian mckeith walked in circa 2003