Fierce Mommy: The Junk Food Suspension
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A blogumn by Stephanie Myers
Junk Food Gets Suspended From Massachusetts’s Schools
The topic of junk food in schools seems to appear on the radar once in a while, usually in response to some study or other, only to fade into semi-obscurity again with the new news cycle. Now a change in school policy has brought the subject up again.
Cupcake a school district in Massachusetts, apparently frustrated by parents sending kids off with candy and other less than healthy options for snack-time, has decided to ban any and all junk food from school grounds. I’m not sure how violators are to be punished, but somehow anything at all seems a bit much. Zero tolerance for junk food? Detention for bringing birthday cupcakes?
I don’t mean to make light of the matter. Take a look at any school, any grade level, and you know that the alarms being raised about rising levels of childhood obesity are true. A large part of that responsibility lies with, of course, the parents. For their part many schools took things into their own hands by, for instance, restocking vending machines with healthier options and making changes to cafeteria menus. (My daughter Jillian’s elementary school is among them)
The Massachusetts district released the final draft of the new wellness policy and the guidelines include bans against food for parties of any kind, fund-raising events, and also from the snacks parents provide themselves.
I personally tend to be more restrictive with my kids about candy and treats. My kids don’t have candy unless it’s Easter, Halloween, Christmas, or their birthday. They don’t drink soda. They don’t eat ice cream or cookies on a daily basis. My kids have grown up regarding treats as just that – treats …that are enjoyed as being a nice break from the daily norm.
Then again, that’s how I have chosen to handle my kid’s nutrition. While I don’t necessarily agree with a parent that considers a candy bar or a bag of Cheetos a “healthy snack,” it’s not my place to judge. It’s not up to me or anyone for that matter to define what “junk food” is for everyone else. That’s not my kid.
Tinted Green pointed out on their blog, “When my daughter was growing up I never allowed her to have white bread. In my opinion white bread is junk food. So are most processed fruit juices and many protein bars. So who decides what is junk?” point? What constitutes ‘junk food’ can be in the eye of the beholder.
I’ve met more than my share of moms who run a broad spectrum when it comes to their “food philosophy”. Ask any mom what she thinks proper nutrition means to her and she will expound on her well thought out plan for her child’s nutritional health. That could mean tofu dogs. It could mean giving them whatever the heck they want.
Changing the vending machine fare and revamping cafeteria offerings with options that are better for kids are definite things schools and districts can do to promote healthy eating. Jillian’s school is definitely one of them. Yet you still have to wonder, how much say does someone else get in how and what you feed your child? I for one don’t have a real problem with the mom who treats her kid to a cookie at snack-time or sends cupcakes for a birthday.
Then again my mom gave me pixie sticks, so what do I know.
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Stephanie, I’ve been going back and forth with myself on this subject for awhile now. On one hand I want my future kids to have good eating habits, on the other, I also want them to learn moderation — which I think Americans have a serious problem with. One cupcake every other day as opposed to all of the candy or cupcakes or whatever you can eat on your birthday.
I grew up with no eating rules, and it took me forever to finally embrace eating healthy. My hope is that my children are able to make good eating choices, even after I send them off to college, but of course, we’ll see.
That photo made me want cupcakes.
I want cupcakes!
That photo made me want cupcakes.
I want cupcakes!
Our schools here in Texas have a ban on cupcakes and other treats like that but only when they are to be given to the whole class not what you send your own child.
They do however feed the kids a very unhealthy school lunch. My son did his science fair project last year on how nutritious school lunches were and I was shocked at the amount of sodium, calories and saturated fats that were in the school lunches here. My kids have always taken lunch from home because that is what they prefer but there are a lot of families who’s children eat lunch at school everyday and they are getting almost half of the calories and all of the sodium and fat that they can have for the day in that one meal.
As far as what my kids eat at home they are pretty good eaters. We keep a lot of fruit and vegies around to snack on and that is usually what they choose to eat. My kids will still have tons of Holloween candy at Christmas when I will toss it to make room for what they get in their stocking. I don’t tell them they can’t eat it they just choose not to, it’s not an issue for them. I think what you let your kids eat is a totally personal issue. I also think it depends on the childs age and how well they moderate themselves.
Our schools here in Texas have a ban on cupcakes and other treats like that but only when they are to be given to the whole class not what you send your own child.
They do however feed the kids a very unhealthy school lunch. My son did his science fair project last year on how nutritious school lunches were and I was shocked at the amount of sodium, calories and saturated fats that were in the school lunches here. My kids have always taken lunch from home because that is what they prefer but there are a lot of families who’s children eat lunch at school everyday and they are getting almost half of the calories and all of the sodium and fat that they can have for the day in that one meal.
As far as what my kids eat at home they are pretty good eaters. We keep a lot of fruit and vegies around to snack on and that is usually what they choose to eat. My kids will still have tons of Holloween candy at Christmas when I will toss it to make room for what they get in their stocking. I don’t tell them they can’t eat it they just choose not to, it’s not an issue for them. I think what you let your kids eat is a totally personal issue. I also think it depends on the childs age and how well they moderate themselves.
It would be nice to see the time, energy & money focused into cupcakes used to bring a canned good or small monetary donation to that birthday girl/boy’s charity of their choosing. The donations could then be made in the name of that kid’s b-day.
That being said, I am having Cheetos, Pixie Stix and a tub of frosting for dinner.
It would be nice to see the time, energy & money focused into cupcakes used to bring a canned good or small monetary donation to that birthday girl/boy’s charity of their choosing. The donations could then be made in the name of that kid’s b-day.
That being said, I am having Cheetos, Pixie Stix and a tub of frosting for dinner.
The question about what is “junk” and according to which Mom’s list should they judge the junk food is a great one! We never had candy growing up, or soda or chips, but mom made home-made cookies and cake with honey from my dad’s hives, so in essence not sugar. Were the treats healthy? nope. Where they organic? yup. Who picks?
This seems like a step in the right direction, maybe we have to swing back so far away from over-indulgence that at some point we can find middle ground. Now if we could just get physical education programs re-instated in a lot of public schools, we might have kids who aren’t diabetic.
BTW – where can I get one of those cupcakes? I’m checking our cafeteria now. (glad I’m not a grade-schooler…)
The question about what is “junk” and according to which Mom’s list should they judge the junk food is a great one! We never had candy growing up, or soda or chips, but mom made home-made cookies and cake with honey from my dad’s hives, so in essence not sugar. Were the treats healthy? nope. Where they organic? yup. Who picks?
This seems like a step in the right direction, maybe we have to swing back so far away from over-indulgence that at some point we can find middle ground. Now if we could just get physical education programs re-instated in a lot of public schools, we might have kids who aren’t diabetic.
BTW – where can I get one of those cupcakes? I’m checking our cafeteria now. (glad I’m not a grade-schooler…)
Dear GOD, people, those are Hello Kitty cupcakes! Let me repeat it for those readers out there who are deaf – HELLO – KITTY – CUPCAKES!!!
Is there nowhere in America that is safe from the devastation of Hello Kitty?!?!?! It’s a vast right wing conspiracy, I tell you!
Now, if you’ll pardon me, I’m going to continue having my General Jack D. Ripper moment under my desk with my automatic assault rifle. “And please fix me a drink of pure grain alcohol and rainwater, and help yourself to whatever you’d like.”
Dear GOD, people, those are Hello Kitty cupcakes! Let me repeat it for those readers out there who are deaf – HELLO – KITTY – CUPCAKES!!!
Is there nowhere in America that is safe from the devastation of Hello Kitty?!?!?! It’s a vast right wing conspiracy, I tell you!
Now, if you’ll pardon me, I’m going to continue having my General Jack D. Ripper moment under my desk with my automatic assault rifle. “And please fix me a drink of pure grain alcohol and rainwater, and help yourself to whatever you’d like.”
Oh, Charles. This will send you off the deep end: http://www.kittyhell.com/
Oh, Charles. This will send you off the deep end: http://www.kittyhell.com/
Comprehensively, I think this is a horrible policy. I wouldn’t like someone else to dictate what I can feed my child. What if I want to send a cookie every day with my son to eat during lunch. Or, provide cupcakes for a birthday party in class. I’m glad school districts are finally taking the time to fix what THEY feed children (and provide access to via vending machines). We had HORRIBLE lunches in comparison. But how about they re-instate P.E. AND outside play before trying to tell me that what I am feeding my child is wrong? This is why, I’m currently considering ALL future education options for my child…
Comprehensively, I think this is a horrible policy. I wouldn’t like someone else to dictate what I can feed my child. What if I want to send a cookie every day with my son to eat during lunch. Or, provide cupcakes for a birthday party in class. I’m glad school districts are finally taking the time to fix what THEY feed children (and provide access to via vending machines). We had HORRIBLE lunches in comparison. But how about they re-instate P.E. AND outside play before trying to tell me that what I am feeding my child is wrong? This is why, I’m currently considering ALL future education options for my child…
wow, its great to hear so many people’s thoughts on this issue!
after i wrote this, i heard that in some cases school officials (say a principle) would patrol the cafeteria scanning student lunches. they would award treats to the kids with healthy lunches (does that make sense?) and make comments aloud about less than healthy choices. not cool at all.
like ernessa i didnt grow up with any eating rules. my mother’s main concern was that i cleaned my plate. you’d be more likely to find chips, soda, and cookies in my family’s pantry or fridge than you would fruit.
becoming a mom made me think about what i wanted for my kids and i think i’ve been good about following it through. i keep healthy snacks in my house and dont stock chips or cookies or candy but i do still buy fun treats for them about every other day.
now i see them making healthy choices on their own. jillian loves carrots and aidan prefers apples and bananas for snacks. they both also are aware enough to eat until they are full…not eat everything in sight (even when it comes to sweets). i hope they keep it up!
ps. i am craving a hello kitty cupcake now. i think i speak for everyone when i say that ernessa should tell us where to get those fabulous yummies….
wow, its great to hear so many people’s thoughts on this issue!
after i wrote this, i heard that in some cases school officials (say a principle) would patrol the cafeteria scanning student lunches. they would award treats to the kids with healthy lunches (does that make sense?) and make comments aloud about less than healthy choices. not cool at all.
like ernessa i didnt grow up with any eating rules. my mother’s main concern was that i cleaned my plate. you’d be more likely to find chips, soda, and cookies in my family’s pantry or fridge than you would fruit.
becoming a mom made me think about what i wanted for my kids and i think i’ve been good about following it through. i keep healthy snacks in my house and dont stock chips or cookies or candy but i do still buy fun treats for them about every other day.
now i see them making healthy choices on their own. jillian loves carrots and aidan prefers apples and bananas for snacks. they both also are aware enough to eat until they are full…not eat everything in sight (even when it comes to sweets). i hope they keep it up!
ps. i am craving a hello kitty cupcake now. i think i speak for everyone when i say that ernessa should tell us where to get those fabulous yummies….
Oh my, those Hello Kitty cupcakes are making me as hungry as Jordan’s high fructose corn syrup post. I would starve if I could not eat my packed lunch of cupcakes and Pixie Stix!!
Oh my, those Hello Kitty cupcakes are making me as hungry as Jordan’s high fructose corn syrup post. I would starve if I could not eat my packed lunch of cupcakes and Pixie Stix!!