AIBU - restrictive school snack policy, hungry child

[nemoni]

Our children's school (primary) has a policy of only allowing fruit and vegetables for snacks at school. Completely get the rationale - healthy eating, relatively easy to set parameters, no overly complex education needed around it etc.

The only problem is I have an active child - plays sport (on top of PE etc) 5 days a week and generally on the go. He comes home from school ravenously hungry, grumpy and tired. He's also going through a growth spurt. I'd like to be able to give him more carbohydrates, even protein, during the day as snacks, as I do on weekends, particularly on days he goes to after school sports sessions. I'm not asking for crisps/chocolate/jam sandwiches etc.

School so far saying no, no, no.

I think it's a cop out, it means they get to look like they're promoting healthy eating while not really promoting a balanced diet, kids are scoffing loads of dried fruit, and don't have access to a water fountain during school hours except at lunch. And don't get me started on school dinners.

Am I being unreasonable?! What parameters does your school set? How do they promote and support healthy eating? Thoughts welcome before I book a chat with the headteacher :)

[paxillin]

I have skinny and active dc, too. They don't snack. Moving over to three meals a day was the last stage of weaning for me. Of course there are exceptions, but my RL experience is that the big and fussy snackers are overweight and inactive.

[Kahlan83]

This might sound silly, but just give him a sandwich and tell him to eat it in the bathroom. What's the school gonna do, search his bag or bathroom to make sure he's not eating a sandwich? 😁

I think it's great school are promoting healthy eating, but this sounds like it gone to far with it. By restricting the food this much, its actually causing harm. Your poor DS, it not fair he's so hungry during that time at school/sports club.

(Note: If I miss understood something, sorry, only had a few hours sleep, DS kept me up late with teething. Poor wee soul. Teething sucks.)

[Kahlan83]

*misunderstood

[mintyneb]

Sorry posted on the wrong thread. Ignore my comments, have asked for them to be removed

[Motherbear26]

OP, I do not think YABU at all. I'm in completely agreement that a full afternoon is a long time to go between meals, particularly with an active after school club. If your dc is not into bananas, I would recommend veg sticks with houmous, a few squares of cheese, a small sandwich containing some protein or a pot of natural yogurt along with the fruit. If school won't allow this then I would definitely speak to the headteacher. I would also be concerned that dc was not drinking enough as at my dc's school there are water fountains and they are allowed to keep a named water bottle in the classrooms. I'm not really onboard with the idea of a fruit snack alone as I think a small amount of protein along with fruit/veg slows absorption and prevents spikes in blood sugar, but I can see why the school would want to keep things simple as some parents may push the boundaries. I also don't believe there is anything wrong with a mid morning or mid afternoon snack!!! Kids are growing and if they are active they will be hungry! It's not as if you are expecting to send crisps and cake, just something a little more substantial than fruit alone! Good luck with it all, I hope the school exercise a little common sense.