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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

These playtime snacks are not practical?

205 replies

UndertheCedartree · 10/05/2022 17:33

The school newsletter last week had an article trying to encourage parents to send in healthier snacks for their DC at playtime.

I find this is such a minefield as my DD isn't always hungry at playtime so whatever I send needs to be able to last being in a school bag for a few days and still be edible.

This rules out many of the suggestions such as vegetable sticks and houmous, yogurt and crackers and cheese. These should all be low fat too which I don't buy anyway. Also suggest fruit salad but again, this will go off and many whole pieces of fruit get bruised etc. And then as at many schools, nuts aren't allowed so that rules out sending in whole nuts or naked bars.

Some of the other suggestions I found quite strange such as toast, crumpets and bread.

They used to have a tuck shop selling healthier snacks but it stopped in Covid and now can't start up again because the school is now cashless. I did suggest parents paying in advance for fruit and vegetable snacks like they get in Infants but the school have said logistically this is not practical.

Anyone have any good suggestions for robust healthier snacks? I appreciate what the school are doing but ultimately if my healthy weight and healthy eating DD has a pack of snack a jacks or mini cookies a couple of times a week, I'm not that bothered.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 10/05/2022 18:05

Athleticpotential · 10/05/2022 17:39

I used to send carrot sticks or apples and cook them for dinner or slice them up when they got home, if they didn't get eaten at school.

"Healthy" eating in schools drives me potty though. Why do children need low fat snacks?!

They seem to come home really warm and inedible.

I agree, why low fat? Full fat is more natural and healthier for children, surely?

OP posts:
skodadoda · 10/05/2022 18:05

Beamur · 10/05/2022 17:45

They are impractical suggestions and almost meals for kids. Crackers and cheese would be lunch for mine at that age.
I'd get a small plastic box and put in something like a couple of mini bread sticks and dried fruit. Or those weeny cubes of flapjack. Won't spoil or bruise. I don't really get the hysteria over a biscuit at break time.

I agree about biscuits. Nothing wrong with a couple of digestives.

MardyOldGoth · 10/05/2022 18:05

Small tupperware container of grapes?

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 10/05/2022 18:06

DogsAndGin · 10/05/2022 17:39

Seriously?! An apple. A banana.

Come home battered and end up in the bin. Seriously!

OP posts:
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 10/05/2022 18:07

I give mine bear yo-yos. Not sure they're particularly healthy and they're eye watering pay expensive but they're easy and pass the test 🙄

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 10/05/2022 18:07

Beamur · 10/05/2022 17:45

They are impractical suggestions and almost meals for kids. Crackers and cheese would be lunch for mine at that age.
I'd get a small plastic box and put in something like a couple of mini bread sticks and dried fruit. Or those weeny cubes of flapjack. Won't spoil or bruise. I don't really get the hysteria over a biscuit at break time.

Yes, I agree! I send in cheese and crackers sometimes for her packed lunch!

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 10/05/2022 18:07

Our primary is fruit only for snack.

My DC has just decided not to bother. I assume most of them don’t, tbh.

GiltEdges · 10/05/2022 18:08

I'd be sending the apple/banana/carrot sticks and if she chooses to bring them home uneaten then the next day she gets no snack 🤷🏼‍♀️

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 10/05/2022 18:08

LaLaKickSticks · 10/05/2022 17:53

What about those little fruit pouch/smoothie type things? Healthy, no nuts and non perishable.

She loves those! Hadn't thought of that.

OP posts:
VintageGibbon · 10/05/2022 18:09

Carrot sticks, oatcakes, individually wrapped small packs of plain crackers, banana in one of those banana protectors etc.

But I agree, my DC never ate most of this stuff and it went to waste. They ate at mealtimes, not all through the day.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 10/05/2022 18:10

RoyKentsChestHair · 10/05/2022 17:56

I take those organix bars made from squished fruit to work, the banana ones and the chocolate ones are my favourites.

I keep one in my lunch box for a couple of days at a time sometimes because someone will bring in cakes or I’ll pop to the shop instead, so having a wrapped bar that doesn’t end up as crumbs, has no nuts and is reasonably tasty is a godsend. Plus I feel virtuous for eating a fruit Grin

Yes they have dried fruit in so Shock they may stick to teeth but honestly what kid wants to eat a dry oatcake or rice cake, or a bruised apple?

I'd forgotten they didn't have nuts in, thank you.

OP posts:
oviraptor21 · 10/05/2022 18:12

Cereal bar sounds good to me.
Can't see that fruit or veg is worth the faff. No way will it last more than a day in a school bag.

GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 10/05/2022 18:12

Fruit winder, raisins, yoghurt covered raisins, mini cheddars

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 10/05/2022 18:15

Wisteriaroundthedoor · 10/05/2022 18:03

Sending in a new peice of fruit to be sacrificed in a school bag just to look like being healthy is soud destroying

gosh that’s very dramatic. Although I’m envious of your life if this is classed as soul destroying for you. 😁

op, I also don’t understand why they need to last, fruit ans veg doesn’t go off after one day. if they did we would all be shopping daily. A little Tupperware dish with sone fruit, like an apple or a banana, or some veg, will last up to a week if not more.

on top of this you have raisins, cereal bars, dried fruit, it does read like you’re trying to find reasons to just keep giving her cookies

When you are on a low income in can be pretty soul destroying and you wouldn't be envious of my life!

The fruit gets bashed and battered. An apple may last a couple of days, a banana no chance! And of course we keep berries and salad vegetables in the fridge not a warm bag - that's why we don't have to shop so often!

Raisins and dried fruit are really bad for their teeth and cereal bars are no better than cookies.

OP posts:
Hallyup89 · 10/05/2022 18:15

I've never known a school to encourage houmous and veg sticks, or fruit salad etc. Too messy. Usually it's just a piece of fruit or possibly a cheese stick or a box of raisins. Personally I'd send a fresh apple or whatever every day and keep the battered ones for a crumble or something at the end of the week.

chrisrobin · 10/05/2022 18:15

My son likes dehydrated strawberries. I buy a couple of punnets of strawberries once a month (usually once the have been reduced), cut them into slices, dehydrate them and store them in an air tight jar. He has a small handful every now and again in a mini Tupperware box. You could do similar with bananas, watermelon cubes work but don't last as long as they are still squishy.
Fruit leather is another option he likes.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 10/05/2022 18:18

RoseValleyRambles · 10/05/2022 18:04

Get a banana box :) bet there's an apple equivalent too.

I have never heard of this?! Sounds like it could revolutionise my life!!

OP posts:
DockOTheBay · 10/05/2022 18:18

You can get plastic boxes designed to put a piece of fruit in. Like a banana shaped plastic box.

If you take it out after she gets home from school, could she have it for pudding or after school snack? Then put in a new one for the next day.

Or what about something like mini malt loaf, oaty bars or ritz crackers?

DockOTheBay · 10/05/2022 18:20

How often does she eat the snack? If its less than 50% of the time then maybe just don't send anything?

Toddlerteaplease · 10/05/2022 18:20

Why on earth do they need a snack other than maybe a peuce of fruit. As long as they have had a good breakfast. They should be fine till lunch.

artisanbread · 10/05/2022 18:22

inappropriateraspberry · 10/05/2022 18:04

How do they expect children to sit down at playtime and eat carrot sticks and hummus? I do wonder if anyone in education has actual, real experience of children sometimes.
Just give them something they can eat quickly, whilst playing - cereal bar, banana etc.
Also think low fat for children is ridiculous, they need the fat content at primary age!

Our kids sit down indoors for snack before going out. However, none of them would bring carrots and hummus. Most just have an apple or banana.

Pbbananabagel · 10/05/2022 18:22

Dairylea have started doing packs of whole grain crackers with dairylea spread sandwiched between 2. Two of these per mini pack and they come in a box of 5 mini packs. They’re genius.

Weelegs29 · 10/05/2022 18:23

What about the mini soreen loaf bars? They come in lots of different flavours (plain/banana/apple) and usually around 4/5 in a pack

Pbbananabagel · 10/05/2022 18:23

@chrisrobin do you have a special thing for dehydrating them?

CottonSock · 10/05/2022 18:24

I send an apple in a tupperware to protect from bruises. It will be its 3rd trip to school for dd2 tomorrow and not bruised.