"healthy" snacks

[Mommafirst]

I knew this day would come.  Alyssa started kindergarten and her teacher is emphasizing the need for "healthy" snacks to the kids.   Alyssa struggles with weight gain and we have done a good job at home by eating things that normal kids aren't going to see as "healthy".    I've already pointed out to the teacher that she will likely have snacks that are not considered typically healthy and I thought he understood, but today he told her that her chips were not an acceptable snack.<br><br>So I am wondering what you all do.  Do you adapt your kids snacks at school to meet the school requirements while still finding more caloric choices (carrots with dips or cheese sticks, for example), or do you make a fuss that your kiddo should be allowed whatever snack they will eat whether or not it fits the traditional "healthy" category or not?<div><br></div><div>I'm tempted to try and make it fit all categories to not make a fuss, but honestly, Alyssa is a very picky eater and for her she needs the saltiness of the chips in the hot classroom and the high fats.  For her its a good snack.    </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[Mommafirst]

I knew this day would come. Alyssa started kindergarten and her teacher is emphasizing the need for "healthy" snacks to the kids. Alyssa struggles with weight gain and we have done a good job at home by eating things that normal kids aren't going to see as "healthy". I've already pointed out to the teacher that she will likely have snacks that are not considered typically healthy and I thought he understood, but today he told her that her chips were not an acceptable snack.<br><br>So I am wondering what you all do. Do you adapt your kids snacks at school to meet the school requirements while still finding more caloric choices (carrots with dips or cheese sticks, for example), or do you make a fuss that your kiddo should be allowed whatever snack they will eat whether or not it fits the traditional "healthy" category or not?<br>I'm tempted to try and make it fit all categories to not make a fuss, but honestly, Alyssa is a very picky eater and for her she needs the saltiness of the chips in the hot classroom and the high fats. For her its a good snack. <br><br>

 

[Mommafirst]

I knew this day would come. Alyssa started kindergarten and her teacher is emphasizing the need for "healthy" snacks to the kids. Alyssa struggles with weight gain and we have done a good job at home by eating things that normal kids aren't going to see as "healthy". I've already pointed out to the teacher that she will likely have snacks that are not considered typically healthy and I thought he understood, but today he told her that her chips were not an acceptable snack.<br><br>So I am wondering what you all do. Do you adapt your kids snacks at school to meet the school requirements while still finding more caloric choices (carrots with dips or cheese sticks, for example), or do you make a fuss that your kiddo should be allowed whatever snack they will eat whether or not it fits the traditional "healthy" category or not?<br>I'm tempted to try and make it fit all categories to not make a fuss, but honestly, Alyssa is a very picky eater and for her she needs the saltiness of the chips in the hot classroom and the high fats. For her its a good snack. <br><br>

 

[beautifulsoul]

<div>I'm not a mother so this isn't from that point of view but my opinion is that, you should pack a snack that she will actually eat and need as well. I can understand since I still struggle with weight issues so I eat basically anything I want to eat. I'm a very picky eater too!</div><div><br></div><div>Kids are still so young, obviously they can't understand why she gets to eat chips and not "carrots" or whatever else. I'm sure it's frustrating to try and explain why. It's difficult to deal with school "rules" I would only view it as a problem if the teacher were to take the chips away. THEN, there's a problem. Fight & take it up a notch. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> ... Otherwise, continue with the high calorie snacks. </div>

 

[beautifulsoul]

I'm not a mother so this isn't from that point of view but my opinion is that, you should pack a snack that she will actually eat and need as well. I can understand since I still struggle with weight issues so I eat basically anything I want to eat. I'm a very picky eater too!<br>Kids are still so young, obviously they can't understand why she gets to eat chips and not "carrots" or whatever else. I'm sure it's frustrating to try and explain why. It's difficult to deal with school "rules" I would only view it as a problem if the teacher were to take the chips away. THEN, there's a problem. Fight & take it up a notch. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> ... Otherwise, continue with the high calorie snacks.

 

[beautifulsoul]

I'm not a mother so this isn't from that point of view but my opinion is that, you should pack a snack that she will actually eat and need as well. I can understand since I still struggle with weight issues so I eat basically anything I want to eat. I'm a very picky eater too!<br>Kids are still so young, obviously they can't understand why she gets to eat chips and not "carrots" or whatever else. I'm sure it's frustrating to try and explain why. It's difficult to deal with school "rules" I would only view it as a problem if the teacher were to take the chips away. THEN, there's a problem. Fight & take it up a notch. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> ... Otherwise, continue with the high calorie snacks.

 

[Rebjane]

I think the teacher needs a little more education about CF.  It actually is a "weird concept" that salt and fat is good for a child.  There are some printouts from the CF foundation about CF, enzymes, and diet.  Explain to the teacher that your child needs 50-100% more calories than the non-CF child sitting next to them.  Malabsorption of fats, means your child can eat something fatty like whole milk; but it may only be processed with enzymes at 1-2% milk.<div><br></div><div>Your child needs extra salt, period.  It's a fact.  Your child should feel comfortable and secure and ENJOY her snack time.  She needs her snack for energy to do well at school.  </div><div><br></div><div>I often at the beginning of the year say Maggie is bringing in Gatorade; EVERYDAY to school.  Her body needs it; She gets Salty pretzels every day.  Maggie know her body does not absorb all the fat.  In fact, she'll refuse pepperoni or ice cream at times cause it's not worth the stomach ache.</div><div><br></div><div>Fortunately, it's not been a problem.  In fact, at one point Maggie was the popular kid giving out her bags of Doritos while she ate the other kids carrot sticks.</div><div><br></div><div>Do you have a school nurse?</div>

 

[Rebjane]

I think the teacher needs a little more education about CF. It actually is a "weird concept" that salt and fat is good for a child. There are some printouts from the CF foundation about CF, enzymes, and diet. Explain to the teacher that your child needs 50-100% more calories than the non-CF child sitting next to them. Malabsorption of fats, means your child can eat something fatty like whole milk; but it may only be processed with enzymes at 1-2% milk.<br>Your child needs extra salt, period. It's a fact. Your child should feel comfortable and secure and ENJOY her snack time. She needs her snack for energy to do well at school. <br>I often at the beginning of the year say Maggie is bringing in Gatorade; EVERYDAY to school. Her body needs it; She gets Salty pretzels every day. Maggie know her body does not absorb all the fat. In fact, she'll refuse pepperoni or ice cream at times cause it's not worth the stomach ache.<br>Fortunately, it's not been a problem. In fact, at one point Maggie was the popular kid giving out her bags of Doritos while she ate the other kids carrot sticks.<br>Do you have a school nurse?

 

[Rebjane]

I think the teacher needs a little more education about CF. It actually is a "weird concept" that salt and fat is good for a child. There are some printouts from the CF foundation about CF, enzymes, and diet. Explain to the teacher that your child needs 50-100% more calories than the non-CF child sitting next to them. Malabsorption of fats, means your child can eat something fatty like whole milk; but it may only be processed with enzymes at 1-2% milk.<br>Your child needs extra salt, period. It's a fact. Your child should feel comfortable and secure and ENJOY her snack time. She needs her snack for energy to do well at school. <br>I often at the beginning of the year say Maggie is bringing in Gatorade; EVERYDAY to school. Her body needs it; She gets Salty pretzels every day. Maggie know her body does not absorb all the fat. In fact, she'll refuse pepperoni or ice cream at times cause it's not worth the stomach ache.<br>Fortunately, it's not been a problem. In fact, at one point Maggie was the popular kid giving out her bags of Doritos while she ate the other kids carrot sticks.<br>Do you have a school nurse?

 

[hmw]

I chose 'something else' and take a middle line approach. Emily has gatorade at at her desk at school while everyone else is restricted to water bottles. I explained why and I got no argument. 'Healthy' snacks are required for the kids but I do feel they can get healthy+high cal without eating all junk. I've always felt that straight sugar for snack isn't going to help a child's learning process/focus so I don't really want her having cupcakes or cookies every day (a treat occasionally is fine, obviously) for snack, whether or not she has cf. Emily LOVES cream cheese and jelly sandwiches on whole grain bread- high cal and better for her than junk. She also loves fruits and veggies, so one of those plus a couple ounces of full-fat cheddar cheese- small volume, well over 200 high-fat, high-protein calories in the cheese, and she still eats a great lunch. She also likes nuts, trail mix, granola bars, and some other good high-cal stuff. <br><br>eta> I think part of why Emily likes cheddar cheese so much is because of how much sodium is in it... an ounce has about 180mg of sodium- right in the middle of an ounce of many chips. American cheese slices often have nearly double that amount of sodium per ounce! (she also loves that stuff.)<br>

 

[hmw]

I chose 'something else' and take a middle line approach. Emily has gatorade at at her desk at school while everyone else is restricted to water bottles. I explained why and I got no argument. 'Healthy' snacks are required for the kids but I do feel they can get healthy+high cal without eating all junk. I've always felt that straight sugar for snack isn't going to help a child's learning process/focus so I don't really want her having cupcakes or cookies every day (a treat occasionally is fine, obviously) for snack, whether or not she has cf. Emily LOVES cream cheese and jelly sandwiches on whole grain bread- high cal and better for her than junk. She also loves fruits and veggies, so one of those plus a couple ounces of full-fat cheddar cheese- small volume, well over 200 high-fat, high-protein calories in the cheese, and she still eats a great lunch. She also likes nuts, trail mix, granola bars, and some other good high-cal stuff. <br><br>eta> I think part of why Emily likes cheddar cheese so much is because of how much sodium is in it... an ounce has about 180mg of sodium- right in the middle of an ounce of many chips. American cheese slices often have nearly double that amount of sodium per ounce! (she also loves that stuff.)<br>

 

[hmw]

I chose 'something else' and take a middle line approach. Emily has gatorade at at her desk at school while everyone else is restricted to water bottles. I explained why and I got no argument. 'Healthy' snacks are required for the kids but I do feel they can get healthy+high cal without eating all junk. I've always felt that straight sugar for snack isn't going to help a child's learning process/focus so I don't really want her having cupcakes or cookies every day (a treat occasionally is fine, obviously) for snack, whether or not she has cf. Emily LOVES cream cheese and jelly sandwiches on whole grain bread- high cal and better for her than junk. She also loves fruits and veggies, so one of those plus a couple ounces of full-fat cheddar cheese- small volume, well over 200 high-fat, high-protein calories in the cheese, and she still eats a great lunch. She also likes nuts, trail mix, granola bars, and some other good high-cal stuff. <br><br>eta> I think part of why Emily likes cheddar cheese so much is because of how much sodium is in it... an ounce has about 180mg of sodium- right in the middle of an ounce of many chips. American cheese slices often have nearly double that amount of sodium per ounce! (she also loves that stuff.)<br>

 

[Mommafirst]

<div>Thanks everyone....I tried to respond yesterday but it wouldn't let me.</div><div><br></div><div>Amber -- your opinion is MORE valuable than another mom.  You've been there and done that and have a perspective I will never have, so THANK YOU!!!  </div><div><br></div><div>I'm headed up to the school this morning to pay tuition, so I think I'll remind the teacher that "healthy" for her is different for healthy for everyone else.   And since there is a nut allergy in the class a lot of the good fats have been ruled out for her.  </div><div><br></div><div>Harriett, I agree about empty calories...its not like I'm sending twinkies or gummy bears and expecting the teacher to accept those.   But chips do have some very needed essentials for Alyssa.   I'm going to try puddings and high fat yogurts and see how those go over...she likes them, I just hope they give her enough time to eat them.</div>

 

[Mommafirst]

Thanks everyone....I tried to respond yesterday but it wouldn't let me.<br>Amber -- your opinion is MORE valuable than another mom. You've been there and done that and have a perspective I will never have, so THANK YOU!!! <br>I'm headed up to the school this morning to pay tuition, so I think I'll remind the teacher that "healthy" for her is different for healthy for everyone else. And since there is a nut allergy in the class a lot of the good fats have been ruled out for her. <br>Harriett, I agree about empty calories...its not like I'm sending twinkies or gummy bears and expecting the teacher to accept those. But chips do have some very needed essentials for Alyssa. I'm going to try puddings and high fat yogurts and see how those go over...she likes them, I just hope they give her enough time to eat them.

 

[Mommafirst]

Thanks everyone....I tried to respond yesterday but it wouldn't let me.<br>Amber -- your opinion is MORE valuable than another mom. You've been there and done that and have a perspective I will never have, so THANK YOU!!! <br>I'm headed up to the school this morning to pay tuition, so I think I'll remind the teacher that "healthy" for her is different for healthy for everyone else. And since there is a nut allergy in the class a lot of the good fats have been ruled out for her. <br>Harriett, I agree about empty calories...its not like I'm sending twinkies or gummy bears and expecting the teacher to accept those. But chips do have some very needed essentials for Alyssa. I'm going to try puddings and high fat yogurts and see how those go over...she likes them, I just hope they give her enough time to eat them.

 

[Ratatosk]

<P> </P>
<P>I had issues responding yesterday as well -- basically I'd be speaking with the teacher about singling out my child.  We're fortunate that DS can have peanuts and that's what he takes to school with him daily for his snack.  The principal has said he doesn't need to follow the 10 page list of acceptable healthy snacks.</P>
<P>Here's a brochure I emailed DS' teacher at the beginning of the year along with some other info -- <A href="http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/LivingWithCF/AtSchool/SchoolEnzymes/Nutrition-School-Enzymes-Sports.pdf">http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/LivingWithCF/AtSchool/SchoolEnzymes/Nutrition-School-Enzymes-Sports.pdf</A></P>

 

[Ratatosk]

<P></P>
<P>I had issues responding yesterday as well -- basically I'd be speaking with the teacher about singling out my child. We're fortunate that DS can have peanuts and that's what he takes to school with him daily for his snack. The principal has said he doesn't need to follow the 10 page list of acceptable healthy snacks.</P>
<P>Here's a brochure I emailed DS' teacher at the beginning of the year along with some other info -- <A href="http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/LivingWithCF/AtSchool/SchoolEnzymes/Nutrition-School-Enzymes-Sports.pdf">http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/LivingWithCF/AtSchool/SchoolEnzymes/Nutrition-School-Enzymes-Sports.pdf</A></P>

 

[Ratatosk]

<P></P>
<P>I had issues responding yesterday as well -- basically I'd be speaking with the teacher about singling out my child. We're fortunate that DS can have peanuts and that's what he takes to school with him daily for his snack. The principal has said he doesn't need to follow the 10 page list of acceptable healthy snacks.</P>
<P>Here's a brochure I emailed DS' teacher at the beginning of the year along with some other info -- <A href="http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/LivingWithCF/AtSchool/SchoolEnzymes/Nutrition-School-Enzymes-Sports.pdf">http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/LivingWithCF/AtSchool/SchoolEnzymes/Nutrition-School-Enzymes-Sports.pdf</A></P>

 

[patderouen]

<P><EM><FONT color=#330099 size=3>My son was diagnosed in February at the age of 17. Once he got out of the hospital and returned to school, I went into the Counselor's Office and explained that he would be bringing what we have nicknamed his "JETHRO" lunchmate that would contain items that he would need to eat all during the day for his caloric intake. This bag included chips, sodas, gatorade, beef jerky, chocolate bars, ham, turkey and lots of salty non-healthy items. I was first met with resistance about what he was eating and whether it was "healthy" and after much explaining that what was healthy for my child might not be healthy for the next, it's been okay....So, now it's his senior year in high school and I noticed from some photos that were taken in his classroom that he had a full bottle of Mountain Dew and a huge bag of Lay's potato chips on his desk and he was doing his class work. </FONT></EM></P>
<P><FONT color=#330099></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT color=#330099>So, stay strong and keep on track of what you believe your child needs. </FONT></P>
<P></P>

 

[patderouen]

<P><EM><FONT color=#330099 size=3>My son was diagnosed in February at the age of 17. Once he got out of the hospital and returned to school, I went into the Counselor's Office and explained that he would be bringing what we have nicknamed his "JETHRO" lunchmate that would contain items that he would need to eat all during the day for his caloric intake. This bag included chips, sodas, gatorade, beef jerky, chocolate bars, ham, turkey and lots of salty non-healthy items. I was first met with resistance about what he was eating and whether it was "healthy" and after much explaining that what was healthy for my child might not be healthy for the next, it's been okay....So, now it's his senior year in high school and I noticed from some photos that were taken in his classroom that he had a full bottle of Mountain Dew and a huge bag of Lay's potato chips on his desk and he was doing his class work. </FONT></EM></P>
<P><FONT color=#330099></FONT></P>
<P><FONT color=#330099>So, stay strong and keep on track of what you believe your child needs. </FONT></P>
<P></P>