So my kid's pediatrician says Rice Krispy Treats are OK to snack on, but......

[Big Cuddly Bear]

apparently my kid's school disagrees.

In the pediatric office they have a poster of good treats for kids. Of course they list all the fruits and veggies, but they also list Rice Krispy Treats as fine if sliced in a 2" square.

So my kids each brought 25 RKTs to school today - all cut in 2" squares - to celebrate their birthdays. The teachers called to tell us that they could not be given out as they are not on the approved snack list for nutrition requirements.

OK, I can sorta get that..... but the school sells these mini ice cream sandwiches at lunch with almost double the calories and fat.

So, let me get this straight.... It's OK to sell "bad" foods for profit to the kids, but kids can't bring in snacks that are approved by a pediatrician?

 

[luvmy3]

That's kind of like my ds's teacher sending home a note at the beginning of the year requesting that we send in healthy snacks like fruits, veggies, cheese stciks, etc. Then one day my ds forgot his snack and told me his teacher gave him marshmallows I guess she would have approved of the RKTs

 

[Tiger926]

Sorry, but Rice Krispie treats are full of sugar - cereal, marshmallows, butter and vanilla, do not make for a healthy snack.

I'm not sure why a pediatrician would say that was a healthy snack? Our pediatrician, does not recommend much cereal for the kids at all, and marshmallows are full of sugar, and corn syrup, so that's just empty calories.

I'm someone who doesn't believe that pediatricians or family doctors know everything. On the contrary. There are pediatricians who recommend cow's milk at 4 months, and table food at 5 months, when clearly WHO, and other health guidelines do not recommend this feeding schedule at all.

Sorry you took the advice of the pediatrician, but you should have checked with the school first, as they decide what is heathy according to their standards. I do agree that selling ice cream treats is hypocritical in nature.

In our province, starting next year, new guidelines for schools and no selling of any junk foods, fatty foods, etc., and not allowed to be distributed at schools either, due to a very serious healthy food overhaul by our government to curb seriously high childhoold obesity rates here in Canada.

Sorry your child didn't get to distribute the treats.

Tiger

 

[fireflymedic]

Sorry, but Rice Krispie treats are full of sugar - cereal, marshmallows, butter and vanilla, do not make for a healthy snack.

I'm not sure why a pediatrician would say that was a healthy snack? Our pediatrician, does not recommend much cereal for the kids at all, and marshmallows are full of sugar, and corn syrup, so that's just empty calories.

I'm someone who doesn't believe that pediatricians or family doctors know everything. On the contrary. There are pediatricians who recommend cow's milk at 4 months, and table food at 5 months, when clearly WHO, and other health guidelines do not recommend this feeding schedule at all.

Sorry you took the advice of the pediatrician, but you should have checked with the school first, as they decide what is heathy according to their standards. I do agree that selling ice cream treats is hypocritical in nature.

In our province, starting next year, new guidelines for schools and no selling of any junk foods, fatty foods, etc., and not allowed to be distributed at schools either, due to a very serious healthy food overhaul by our government to curb seriously high childhoold obesity rates here in Canada.

Sorry your child didn't get to distribute the treats.

Tiger

This is kind of like not letting adults drink untill they are 21 (and out of the house) benge drinking and drunkeness is common.

If the gov. thinks they can keep kids from eating sweats they are dumber than I thought and I think they are pretty dumb

 

[FredinFL]

Yeah, it's like that here too. Don't dare bring in a sugary snack, but here buy some ice cream and cookies!

 

[low-key]

it anit like everyone is getting skinny, forget good eating

 

[Kae]

rice crispy treats are on our schools approved snack list.

kae

 

[mamacatnv]

Once again our schools are reaching into our homes and telling us what to do.

Now, I assume in this situation that the guidelines refer to bringing a snack to share not what your own individual child brings as their snack, am I correct in my assumption?

In regards to the ice cream for sale - totally hypocritical I guess the fact that they are for sale and therefore not being "freely" offered is the way the school justifies that one.

When my DS's high school removed soft drinks from the vending machines under district/state/federal guidelines the school lost $23,000 annually in revenue. Did it stop the drinking of soda? Nope, kids would sell it out of coolers in their trunks, kids would bring their own and the convenience stores around the high school saw sales of beverages sky rocket.

I'd be curious to know what else your Ped had on that snack chart. Kids need fat, calories, carbs etc. to grow its how much and in what context that causes the problems.

Can't govern everything and it really annoys me that so many keep trying.

 

[Tiger926]

This is kind of like not letting adults drink untill they are 21 (and out of the house) benge drinking and drunkeness is common.

If the gov. thinks they can keep kids from eating sweats they are dumber than I thought and I think they are pretty dumb

Once again our schools are reaching into our homes and telling us what to do.

Now, I assume in this situation that the guidelines refer to bringing a snack to share not what your own individual child brings as their snack, am I correct in my assumption?

In regards to the ice cream for sale - totally hypocritical I guess the fact that they are for sale and therefore not being "freely" offered is the way the school justifies that one.

When my DS's high school removed soft drinks from the vending machines under district/state/federal guidelines the school lost $23,000 annually in revenue. Did it stop the drinking of soda? Nope, kids would sell it out of coolers in their trunks, kids would bring their own and the convenience stores around the high school saw sales of beverages sky rocket.

I'd be curious to know what else your Ped had on that snack chart. Kids need fat, calories, carbs etc. to grow its how much and in what context that causes the problems.

Can't govern everything and it really annoys me that so many keep trying.

Well, considering the fact that our government pays for our healthcare costs, they absolutely have the right to do this.

Just heard the figures for how much obesity and diabetes, two diet related diseases, cost our country in healthcare, and the amount is in the billions.

Schools have taken out physical activity over the years, but they are slowly putting it back in, and so diet is next. As a teacher, I have to tell you, that teaching kids who are high on sugar all day is not easy. Unhealthy snacks and foods does not equal good brain energy. We implemented a breakfast program at our school with healthy foods, and you can't believe the positive progress and improvements we have seen in our kids, especially the ADHD kids.

Don't want this thread to be hijacked, but I just wanted to clarify this based on my response, as our schools have been dealing with this for the past few years.

Tiger

 

[Hillbeans]

I would imagine there will come a day very soon where no snacks for any celebrations will be allowed - because of allergies or because they are unhealthy. It is ironic that they can serve french toast sticks for lunch and it's considered "healthy"....

 

[momof1princess]

funny that our school can serve mac & cheese and cheese sticks as the main entree of lunch, but then they say we can't send in sugary snacks....right...because you've already hopped the kids up on carbs and junk!

 

[momgoose]

I think the point is that to bring in unhealthy foods(and rice krispie treats are unhealthy) for others is not approved. Seems like there is not much to not understand about this. If your school still allows home made food, that will be changing soon. I know there are some kids in my kids class that I hope dont bring home made food in...

 

[mamacatnv]

Well, considering the fact that our government pays for our healthcare costs, they absolutely have the right to do this.

Just heard the figures for how much obesity and diabetes, two diet related diseases, cost our country in healthcare, and the amount is in the billions.

Your country perhaps but not mine and mine does not have the right to dictate what I eat, how much of it I eat etc.

I pay big bucks for my healthcare coverage and I assume a large portion of out of pocket costs that my insurance does not pay as well. In a way I as an insurance contributor also pays for people with unhealthy habits but what we eat is our business not the governments.

 

[dallastxcpa]

Well, considering the fact that our government pays for our healthcare costs, they absolutely have the right to do this.

Tiger

I see that you are from Canada; and while I see your point as your goverment foots the bill. here in the USA the health care costs are the burden of the individual and their employer; with the exception of those on public assistance and the elderly/disabled. At one time my health insurance for my family was $1,200 per month plus I had deductibles and copays. Our goverment has no right to tell me what to eat or what to feed my children. Obesity and diabetes are problems but that what the freedom of choice is about.

Now I can understand some schools banning foods due to severe allergies that could harm a child but not letting kids have cupcakes for birthday parties or class parties is silly.

 

[Bethenny]

I don't really believe that your pediatrician considers a rice krispie treat to be healthy. I also don't believe that your kids' school refused to serve a birthday snack for that reason. I could see if they were homemade and those are not allowed. My school will not allow homemade food items. But they will allow store-bought cookies or donuts even though they prefer healthy snacks.

 

[formill]

Well, considering the fact that our government pays for our healthcare costs, they absolutely have the right to do this.

Just heard the figures for how much obesity and diabetes, two diet related diseases, cost our country in healthcare, and the amount is in the billions.

Schools have taken out physical activity over the years, but they are slowly putting it back in, and so diet is next. As a teacher, I have to tell you, that teaching kids who are high on sugar all day is not easy. Unhealthy snacks and foods does not equal good brain energy. We implemented a breakfast program at our school with healthy foods, and you can't believe the positive progress and improvements we have seen in our kids, especially the ADHD kids.

Don't want this thread to be hijacked, but I just wanted to clarify this based on my response, as our schools have been dealing with this for the past few years.

Tiger

Where is it you think the government gets their money from? I think WE still pay for our healthcare and we pay a lot it is far from "free". What is next we are told what we can eat inside our homes too?

What is "high on sugar"......anything I have read/seen on tv on that lately suggests that is ridiculous.

As for unhealthy snacks at school... a treat once in a while is fine with me and I would never have an issue with the odd time someone sending in a treat- homemade is fine too and so far allowed at our school.

 

[eeyoremum]

Well, considering the fact that our government pays for our healthcare costs, they absolutely have the right to do this.
Just heard the figures for how much obesity and diabetes, two diet related diseases, cost our country in healthcare, and the amount is in the billions.

Schools have taken out physical activity over the years, but they are slowly putting it back in, and so diet is next. As a teacher, I have to tell you, that teaching kids who are high on sugar all day is not easy. Unhealthy snacks and foods does not equal good brain energy. We implemented a breakfast program at our school with healthy foods, and you can't believe the positive progress and improvements we have seen in our kids, especially the ADHD kids.

Don't want this thread to be hijacked, but I just wanted to clarify this based on my response, as our schools have been dealing with this for the past few years.

Tiger

Sorry Tiger, I have to disagree with this statement. OUR very high taxes pay for OUR health care system.

When our government outlaws smoking because we all pay for smokers to have their lung diseases treated or people who can't control themselves with the sweets, salt or the other million things that might kill us all then they can tell me my kid can't eat rice crispy treats.

As for the treats in school I don't think a little 2" piece of RCT would kill the kids. The key thing there is birthday treat...I don't want some yummy birthday veggies with dip and kids don't either.

Sorry your child could not share their treats OP.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, according to this http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/snacks/5639/2 site:

[Rice Krispie Treats are] "low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6 and Manganese, and a very good source of Thiamin."

 

[allison443]

apparently my kid's school disagrees.

In the pediatric office they have a poster of good treats for kids. Of course they list all the fruits and veggies, but they also list Rice Krispy Treats as fine if sliced in a 2" square.

So my kids each brought 25 RKTs to school today - all cut in 2" squares - to celebrate their birthdays. The teachers called to tell us that they could not be given out as they are not on the approved snack list for nutrition requirements.

OK, I can sorta get that..... but the school sells these mini ice cream sandwiches at lunch with almost double the calories and fat.

So, let me get this straight.... It's OK to sell "bad" foods for profit to the kids, but kids can't bring in snacks that are approved by a pediatrician?

Why didn't you have the "approved snack list" before you sent these in? Doesn't the school tell the parents what is allowed? It seems odd if they didn't-- I could imagine there might be restrictions for allergies, etc. as well as asking for "healthy snacks".

Do you really think rice krispie treats are a healthy snack? I mean, in my opinion anything is okay to have once in a while, especially for a birthday, like a cupcake, ice cream, rice krispie treat, etc. But I don't think they're healthy.

But I'm sorry for your kids! Were they very disappointed? Can they celebrate on another day with an "approved" snack? I hope so!

 

[allison443]

Well, according to this http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/snacks/5639/2 site:

[Rice Krispie Treats are] "low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6 and Manganese, and a very good source of Thiamin."

Well they are better than a lot of other snacks then!