Nursery healthy eating message OTT for 3 Year Old?

[preggersneveragain]

Has anyone else's child been taught about 'healthy eating' at nursery? My daughter has started asking if invdividual foods are 'healthy'. Once or twice she has refused a meal saying it isn't 'healthy' (all good home-cooked food in our house, what she means is she doesn't like it) :(

Tried to speak to nursery staff but it's clear they are just doing what they think the Curriculum for Excellence asks of them. Has anyone else come across this?

.....speaking of which, was sure I saw an article in the paper a few weeks back re links between healthy eating messages in schools and eating disorders. Am I worrying too much?

I had some problems with this too. DD1 was barely three when she started quizzing me about sugar and, on one memorable occasion, turning down pudding because it was bad for her.

I have been incredibly careful about how I speak about food around DD1 and also how I act, what I eat myself. I was unhappy about the nursery teaching because it seemed to be understood in a very black and white way by small children. DD1 also took away the message about bad foods more than good foods (can I get her to eat most vegetables? Aaarg).

After the pudding incident and another where DD1 expressed concern about getting fat, I had a little chat with her key worker. She explained the curriculum issue (like yours OP) but also commented that children picked things up at home eg one mother takes her toddler to slimming world weighings if she has no childcare.

So.... Toddler concern about bad food and their bodies... A battle I waging several years earlier than expected.

I think that's it - children at this age are so black and white about things, and like your DD1 my DD seems to have 'fixed' on the bad foods idea rather than the good.

I also think children should be spared our adult 'hang-ups' about food, and should be free to enjoy a few more years without any associated of 'guilt' around enjoying treats (in moderation)....I also happen to think healthy eating is about getting a balance, and labelling individual foods 'good' or 'bad' is not the right approach. Bet then what do I know, I'm only a parent!

It's over 3 years ago now but my kids nursery went so low fat most of the kids, including mine, developed "toddler tummy" aka loose stools, not quite dihorrea. It was done with the best of intentions but none the less shows how little knowledge there is out there about good nutrition and the importance of fat in the diet for little ones. It doesn't get better at school, my kids are now subject to the snack and lunch box police every day. DS who is 9 has recently worked out that I think the rules are rubbish, but will still support the school by enforcing them. But at 9 he is just starting to be less black and white about things. He had school lunches in infants and so avoided the police but now he is a big junior the portions are so small we've had to change to packed lunches - but that is a whole other thread...

DD2's preschool quite clearly have as shes been asking about the weirdest things!
She's been asking what X has in it, or whether Y is good for you or not.
We went to Pizza Hut for a treat in the holidays, DD said 'Shall I tell preschool about eating pizza?'
We ended up having a long discussion about eating healthily, and we just explained that it was absolutely fine to eat the pizza, because she was eating salad with it too - and that is a balanced diet. But we did say that if she was eating things like pizza and chips everyday then that wouldn't good or healthy. We explained that she didn't need to worry about what she was eating, that we make sure she is eating well; and that as long as she eats good things like fruit, veg, meat etc, then it is fine to have treats like pizza etc.
The constant asking has stopped now, and she seems a lot happier. Its good that they are talking to children about it, but they are clearly taking it very seriously for DD to worry - she normally can't even remember a thing she's done at pre-school!

I don't think it's bad to educate children about food and they are bound to be curious about what they are stuffing into their mouths - it doesn't necessarily follow that they are going to worry about their bodies - I would be delighted if my child turned down pudding because of the sugar - better that then have to drag them from it - its good if they learn early - it drums it into them and then they should start to make good choices for themselves when they are older.

No problem with education generally but a lot my DCs have been taught has been old fashioned and odd. Eggs are unhealthy apparently, as is meat generally while wholemeal bread is the best thing ever. And I worry about being too strict while they are at primary - don't want them to reach teenager hood and suddenly go crazy on forbidden foods because for the first time they can get hold of them easily.

DS is 2.5 and recently started "healthy heroes" at nursery which is great because it encourages healthy living and approach to food/health but without being OTT. The best thing is the way it encourages them that "healthy heroes try new foods"

It also works closely with the families to so its about getting the whole family thinking differnetly about these things.

That sounds a great idea - anything to encourage trying lots of different types of food!