An Aussie mum has taken to Facebook to vent her frustration after her daughter’s greek yoghurt and vegemite biscuit snacks were deemed unhealthy according to her preschool’s policy.
Mum appalled that her daughter wasn’t allowed to eat her organic Greek yoghurt pouch or a snack of Cruskits with vegemite and cheese. Instead the foods were sent home with a note telling her that these were ‘sometimes’ foods.
Apparently carrots and hummus dip, wholemeal zucchini muffins and homemade vegetarian sausage rolls were among other foods deemed questionable or ‘off limits’ by some schools and kinders, according to mothers in a Melbourne online parenting group.
A while ago, a South Australian mum shared her disgust after her child wasn’t allowed a piece of cake, instead she received a condescending note with a frown face.
Another mum was upset that her child wasn’t allowed to eat her treat of homemade chocolate slice.
Policing Lunch Boxes
Some parents have expressed concern that constant policing of children’s food will encourage an unhealthy relationship with eating at a young age. Other parents say schools are setting unreasonable expectations, and what matters is that children are getting fed – not what’s on the menu.
Of course there are some food items that should never be in a children’s lunchbox – as this mum discovered!
More than 30,000 Australian children may now be severely obese, a national study into childhood health found.
The Right Bite and healthy eating policies classifies food and drink into three categories according to their nutritional or ‘healthy eating’ value.
Green foods
Green category foods and drinks are the healthiest choices. Schools and preschools are encouraged to provide as many choices as possible from this category.
Amber foods
Amber category foods and drinks are more processed with some added salt, sugar or fat. Schools and preschools are encouraged to select carefully from this category.
Red foods
Red category foods and drinks are highly processed, energy dense and nutrient poor. These are banned from sale in government school canteens and vending machines at all times.
Find a full list of the foods here. We were quite shocked, to say the least, at some of the items in red and amber. Including, honey, jam and vegemite which is basically what my son survives on! (Although mustard is a fave atm.) Plus tomato sauce and mayonnaise!
What does your child usually have in their lunch on a regular basis? Does it pass the healthy eating policy? I think mine are a fail! Bad mum. 🙁
Share your comments below.
7:45 am
8:00 pm
11:41 am
4:50 pm
9:24 pm
12:42 pm
8:58 pm
7:57 am
9:55 pm
4:16 pm
10:32 am
8:49 pm
12:04 am
8:22 pm
8:47 am
2:57 pm
2:30 pm
2:02 pm
10:00 am
7:34 am
To post a review/comment please join us or login so we can allocate your points.