Guest guest Posted February 11, 2007 Report Share Posted February 11, 2007 Hello, My daughter is in preschool, and we are raising her vegan. Her preschool is very mainstream, and although they have been supportive of our choices (I have told them that on SPECIAL OCCASIONS she may choose to eat a cupcake or something in celebration of a classmate's birthday or holiday, and we talk about our choices at home when it is relevant about eggs, milk, gelatin,etc, now it seems like she is eating lots of sugar during snacktime. The problem is that the school asks that one family bring in the snacks for the week, and although the teachers attempt half- heartedly in their form letter to encourage parents to bring in healthy snacks, the bottom line is that the parents can bring in what they want. I would like to give them a letter that has a bit of a stronger message about the prevalence of sugar and the dangers of too much, but I KNOW that I am already targeted as being one of those high maintenance parents (I am a teacher too, so I am really cringing at this!!) They are bringing in cookies, sometimes candy, etc. They will certainly forbid her to eat the snack of the day (and allow her to eat one of the healthy snacks from her lunchbox), but I notice her becoming increasingly resentful of this. Has anyone had a similar experience, or do you have ideas about what I could include in the letter that I propose they use (food items, data about sugar,etc.). I really thought my challenge would be vegetarianism, but my daughter, at 3 GETS it, but the sugar is just too tempting for her, and I don't want her to feel any more excluded than she has to. Here in our part of SoCal the mainstream preschool is the only choice for us right now. I will add that I work full time, and she is there for the whole day. Thanks for reading my lengthy message! Peace, Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 I think that it is important to limit sugar in the classroom for so many reasons but I am sure I am preaching to the choir ). My son's preschool teacher says her classroom is a sugar free zone so that any sugary snacks that come in are re-directed back to the lunch box and back home. For special occasions she either has the kids bake low sugar baked goods or allows only one sweet and asks parents to bring in non edible treats to celebrate. Parents still pack up their kid's lunch boxes with cookies, candy, chips, and sugary drinks (and processed meats/cheeses as well). There isn't much you can do about other parents. In fact, it will be hard to convince a teacher too if she/he is set in his/her ways. The only way I have gotten through the food dilemma is to claim food intolerance. Which for the most part is true. My son is greatly intolerant of sugar. When he eats it , he is not the same child and is not capable of sitting and learning (or playing affectively). So I guess my advice would be to claim that it affects her physically and behaviorally and be VERY serious about it. Tell them you don't want her eating sugary snacks and if you need to, you will provide snacks on a weekly basis. Is that something you feel ok about? Kelli - werallanimals Sunday, February 11, 2007 11:56 AM sugar at preschool! Hello, My daughter is in preschool, and we are raising her vegan. Her preschool is very mainstream, and although they have been supportive of our choices (I have told them that on SPECIAL OCCASIONS she may choose to eat a cupcake or something in celebration of a classmate's birthday or holiday, and we talk about our choices at home when it is relevant about eggs, milk, gelatin,etc, now it seems like she is eating lots of sugar during snacktime. The problem is that the school asks that one family bring in the snacks for the week, and although the teachers attempt half- heartedly in their form letter to encourage parents to bring in healthy snacks, the bottom line is that the parents can bring in what they want. I would like to give them a letter that has a bit of a stronger message about the prevalence of sugar and the dangers of too much, but I KNOW that I am already targeted as being one of those high maintenance parents (I am a teacher too, so I am really cringing at this!!) They are bringing in cookies, sometimes candy, etc. They will certainly forbid her to eat the snack of the day (and allow her to eat one of the healthy snacks from her lunchbox), but I notice her becoming increasingly resentful of this. Has anyone had a similar experience, or do you have ideas about what I could include in the letter that I propose they use (food items, data about sugar,etc.). I really thought my challenge would be vegetarianism, but my daughter, at 3 GETS it, but the sugar is just too tempting for her, and I don't want her to feel any more excluded than she has to. Here in our part of SoCal the mainstream preschool is the only choice for us right now. I will add that I work full time, and she is there for the whole day. Thanks for reading my lengthy message! Peace, Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Hi, Melissa, If I were you, I'd try to opt out of having to provide snacks for the rest of the class and bring only your daughter's, if that is an option. At one preschool setting we were at for a short time, we were able to do that. Some parents didn't like that we were not participating in the snack rotation, but that seemed the most fair for everyone. If your child had an allergy, for example, she had gluten intolerance, you'd have to provide her snacks and have her avoid the other snacks brought in. Again, is this an option for you? I understand you not wanting her to be given all that sugar. Marla > Hello, > > My daughter is in preschool, and we are raising her vegan. Her > preschool is very mainstream, and although they have been > supportive of our choices (I have told them that on SPECIAL > OCCASIONS she may choose to eat a cupcake or something in > celebration of a classmate's birthday or holiday, and we talk about > our choices at home when it is relevant about eggs, milk, > gelatin,etc, now it seems like she is eating lots of sugar during > snacktime. > > The problem is that the school asks that one family bring in the > snacks for the week, and although the teachers attempt half- > heartedly in > their form letter to encourage parents to bring in healthy snacks, > the bottom line is that the parents can bring in what they want. I > would like to give them a letter that has a bit of a stronger > message about the prevalence of sugar and the dangers of too much, > but I KNOW that I am already targeted as being one of those high > maintenance parents (I am a teacher too, so I am really cringing at > this!!) They are bringing in cookies, sometimes candy, etc. They > will certainly forbid her to eat the snack of the day (and allow her > to eat one of the healthy snacks from her lunchbox), but I notice > her becoming increasingly resentful of this. > > Has anyone had a similar experience, or do you have ideas about what > I could include in the letter that I propose they use (food items, > data about sugar,etc.). I really thought my challenge would be > vegetarianism, but my daughter, at 3 GETS it, but the sugar is just > too tempting for her, and I don't want her to feel any more excluded > than she has to. Here in our part of SoCal the mainstream > preschool is the only choice for us right now. I will add that I > work full time, and she is there for the whole day. > > Thanks for reading my lengthy message! > > Peace, > Melissa > > > > > > For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at > http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to > http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to > provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a > qualified health professional. > > edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health > professional. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Maybe you could talk to the people who are " in charge " and try to get them to make it VERY highly encouraged to bring healthy snacks? I don't know why they'd be making it hard for you when you're the one wanting healthier options. You're absolutely in the right on this one, and I just don't know why people are so against minimizing sugar!! I'm sure if they'd tell people to only send healthy snacks, the problem would at the very least be minimized. Surely these people would see the reasoning behind not filling kids up with sugar? werallanimals <vegmac wrote: Hello, My daughter is in preschool, and we are raising her vegan. Her preschool is very mainstream, and although they have been supportive of our choices (I have told them that on SPECIAL OCCASIONS she may choose to eat a cupcake or something in celebration of a classmate's birthday or holiday, and we talk about our choices at home when it is relevant about eggs, milk, gelatin,etc, now it seems like she is eating lots of sugar during snacktime. The problem is that the school asks that one family bring in the snacks for the week, and although the teachers attempt half- heartedly in their form letter to encourage parents to bring in healthy snacks, the bottom line is that the parents can bring in what they want. I would like to give them a letter that has a bit of a stronger message about the prevalence of sugar and the dangers of too much, but I KNOW that I am already targeted as being one of those high maintenance parents (I am a teacher too, so I am really cringing at this!!) They are bringing in cookies, sometimes candy, etc. They will certainly forbid her to eat the snack of the day (and allow her to eat one of the healthy snacks from her lunchbox), but I notice her becoming increasingly resentful of this. Has anyone had a similar experience, or do you have ideas about what I could include in the letter that I propose they use (food items, data about sugar,etc.). I really thought my challenge would be vegetarianism, but my daughter, at 3 GETS it, but the sugar is just too tempting for her, and I don't want her to feel any more excluded than she has to. Here in our part of SoCal the mainstream preschool is the only choice for us right now. I will add that I work full time, and she is there for the whole day. Thanks for reading my lengthy message! Peace, Melissa Kadee Sedtal Brain: " Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering? " Pinky: " I think so, Brain, but if the plural of mouse is mice, wouldn't the plural of spouse be spice? " Check out my new , Classical 2 at http://launch.classical2/ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Mail Beta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Hi Marla, Thanks for your response. I realize from your response and others that this is probably my best option. I guess I am always optimistic that I can in some way effect change, but I also have to pick my battles. They have been supportive of giving my daughter the snack that I request if other parents are sending sugar for the whole class, but I don't want her to be resentful of the dietary choices that we are making on her behalf. Actually I just purchased Jo Stepaniak's Uncheese Cookbook so that I can send in some " cheese " snacks (I tell my daughter that they are made with VEGAN cheese). If nothing else this will force me to add more variety to foods that I prepare. Peace, Melissa , Marla Rose <marla wrote: > > Hi, Melissa, > > If I were you, I'd try to opt out of having to provide snacks for the rest > of the class and bring only your daughter's, if that is an option. At one > preschool setting we were at for a short time, we were able to do that. Some > parents didn't like that we were not participating in the snack rotation, > but that seemed the most fair for everyone. If your child had an allergy, > for example, she had gluten intolerance, you'd have to provide her snacks > and have her avoid the other snacks brought in. Again, is this an option for > you? I understand you not wanting her to be given all that sugar. > > Marla > > > Hello, > > > > My daughter is in preschool, and we are raising her vegan. Her > > preschool is very mainstream, and although they have been > > supportive of our choices (I have told them that on SPECIAL > > OCCASIONS she may choose to eat a cupcake or something in > > celebration of a classmate's birthday or holiday, and we talk about > > our choices at home when it is relevant about eggs, milk, > > gelatin,etc, now it seems like she is eating lots of sugar during > > snacktime. > > > > The problem is that the school asks that one family bring in the > > snacks for the week, and although the teachers attempt half- > > heartedly in > > their form letter to encourage parents to bring in healthy snacks, > > the bottom line is that the parents can bring in what they want. I > > would like to give them a letter that has a bit of a stronger > > message about the prevalence of sugar and the dangers of too much, > > but I KNOW that I am already targeted as being one of those high > > maintenance parents (I am a teacher too, so I am really cringing at > > this!!) They are bringing in cookies, sometimes candy, etc. They > > will certainly forbid her to eat the snack of the day (and allow her > > to eat one of the healthy snacks from her lunchbox), but I notice > > her becoming increasingly resentful of this. > > > > Has anyone had a similar experience, or do you have ideas about what > > I could include in the letter that I propose they use (food items, > > data about sugar,etc.). I really thought my challenge would be > > vegetarianism, but my daughter, at 3 GETS it, but the sugar is just > > too tempting for her, and I don't want her to feel any more excluded > > than she has to. Here in our part of SoCal the mainstream > > preschool is the only choice for us right now. I will add that I > > work full time, and she is there for the whole day. > > > > Thanks for reading my lengthy message! > > > > Peace, > > Melissa > > > > > > > > > > > > For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at > > http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to > > http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to > > provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a > > qualified health professional. > > > > edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health > > professional. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Have you tried different " packaging " ? Like the silly caterpillars, bugs, etc you can make out of fruits and veggies you see in parenting magazines frequently. Kids tend to like what looks the neatest. If she has the coolest looking snack of them all, they may all be clamoring for them, too. werallanimals <vegmac wrote: Hello, My daughter is in preschool, and we are raising her vegan. Her preschool is very mainstream, and although they have been supportive of our choices (I have told them that on SPECIAL OCCASIONS she may choose to eat a cupcake or something in celebration of a classmate's birthday or holiday, and we talk about our choices at home when it is relevant about eggs, milk, gelatin,etc, now it seems like she is eating lots of sugar during snacktime. The problem is that the school asks that one family bring in the snacks for the week, and although the teachers attempt half- heartedly in their form letter to encourage parents to bring in healthy snacks, the bottom line is that the parents can bring in what they want. I would like to give them a letter that has a bit of a stronger message about the prevalence of sugar and the dangers of too much, but I KNOW that I am already targeted as being one of those high maintenance parents (I am a teacher too, so I am really cringing at this!!) They are bringing in cookies, sometimes candy, etc. They will certainly forbid her to eat the snack of the day (and allow her to eat one of the healthy snacks from her lunchbox), but I notice her becoming increasingly resentful of this. Has anyone had a similar experience, or do you have ideas about what I could include in the letter that I propose they use (food items, data about sugar,etc.). I really thought my challenge would be vegetarianism, but my daughter, at 3 GETS it, but the sugar is just too tempting for her, and I don't want her to feel any more excluded than she has to. Here in our part of SoCal the mainstream preschool is the only choice for us right now. I will add that I work full time, and she is there for the whole day. Thanks for reading my lengthy message! Peace, Melissa Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels in 45,000 destinations on Travel to find your fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I remember when my sister went on a round of strange foods to isolate an allergy: they were Jesse's " special " foods that we weren't allowed to have. It made a sick-feeling 3 year old feel super-special instead of singled out. For your daughter, I would make a vegan cupcake or cookie that's " special " food just for her, and stress that its extra-special because it makes the animals happy. Personally, I would bend a bit on the sugar since she's starting to resent the food difference. I mean - come on! All of her friends are eating chocolate cake and she's stuck with carrot sticks? That's no fun for anyone! You can make low-sugar desserts such as dipping a whole-grain apple muffin into a cinnamon-sugar topping. That makes it more dessert-like without sacrificing nutrition. Or throw some chocolate or carob chips into a healthy banana muffin. Call it a cupcake! She won't know the difference! Good luck! Angie On 12/02/07, L Friend <mountain_laurel1183 wrote: > > Have you tried different " packaging " ? Like the silly caterpillars, bugs, > etc you can make out of fruits and veggies you see in parenting magazines > frequently. Kids tend to like what looks the neatest. If she has the coolest > looking snack of them all, they may all be clamoring for them, too. > > > > werallanimals <vegmac <vegmac%40hotmail.com>> wrote: > Hello, > > My daughter is in preschool, and we are raising her vegan. Her > preschool is very mainstream, and although they have been > supportive of our choices (I have told them that on SPECIAL > OCCASIONS she may choose to eat a cupcake or something in > celebration of a classmate's birthday or holiday, and we talk about > our choices at home when it is relevant about eggs, milk, > gelatin,etc, now it seems like she is eating lots of sugar during > snacktime. > > The problem is that the school asks that one family bring in the > snacks for the week, and although the teachers attempt half- > heartedly in > their form letter to encourage parents to bring in healthy snacks, > the bottom line is that the parents can bring in what they want. I > would like to give them a letter that has a bit of a stronger > message about the prevalence of sugar and the dangers of too much, > but I KNOW that I am already targeted as being one of those high > maintenance parents (I am a teacher too, so I am really cringing at > this!!) They are bringing in cookies, sometimes candy, etc. They > will certainly forbid her to eat the snack of the day (and allow her > to eat one of the healthy snacks from her lunchbox), but I notice > her becoming increasingly resentful of this. > > Has anyone had a similar experience, or do you have ideas about what > I could include in the letter that I propose they use (food items, > data about sugar,etc.). I really thought my challenge would be > vegetarianism, but my daughter, at 3 GETS it, but the sugar is just > too tempting for her, and I don't want her to feel any more excluded > than she has to. Here in our part of SoCal the mainstream > preschool is the only choice for us right now. I will add that I > work full time, and she is there for the whole day. > > Thanks for reading my lengthy message! > > Peace, > Melissa > > > Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels > in 45,000 destinations on Travel to find your fit. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 you can make cookies that don't have sugar in them. I make a cookie sweetened with bananas or dates and they are very sweet but healthy. There are also many raw food recipes that are excellent and creative that they can actually make in class (if the teacher is up for a project).To the kids, they are eating cookies but they are nothing like the garbage out there! I think it is very important that children don't get sugar every day or a least a VERY small amount. The teacher should really be on top of this (hence your concern )). To add what I said before, maybe bringing in cool recipes like I was talking about above would inspire them to be more careful about health in their classroom? If you are interested in some recipes, let me know. ) Kelli - werallanimals Monday, February 12, 2007 5:27 PM Re: sugar at preschool! Hi Marla, Thanks for your response. I realize from your response and others that this is probably my best option. I guess I am always optimistic that I can in some way effect change, but I also have to pick my battles. They have been supportive of giving my daughter the snack that I request if other parents are sending sugar for the whole class, but I don't want her to be resentful of the dietary choices that we are making on her behalf. Actually I just purchased Jo Stepaniak's Uncheese Cookbook so that I can send in some " cheese " snacks (I tell my daughter that they are made with VEGAN cheese). If nothing else this will force me to add more variety to foods that I prepare. Peace, Melissa , Marla Rose <marla wrote: > > Hi, Melissa, > > If I were you, I'd try to opt out of having to provide snacks for the rest > of the class and bring only your daughter's, if that is an option. At one > preschool setting we were at for a short time, we were able to do that. Some > parents didn't like that we were not participating in the snack rotation, > but that seemed the most fair for everyone. If your child had an allergy, > for example, she had gluten intolerance, you'd have to provide her snacks > and have her avoid the other snacks brought in. Again, is this an option for > you? I understand you not wanting her to be given all that sugar. > > Marla > > > Hello, > > > > My daughter is in preschool, and we are raising her vegan. Her > > preschool is very mainstream, and although they have been > > supportive of our choices (I have told them that on SPECIAL > > OCCASIONS she may choose to eat a cupcake or something in > > celebration of a classmate's birthday or holiday, and we talk about > > our choices at home when it is relevant about eggs, milk, > > gelatin,etc, now it seems like she is eating lots of sugar during > > snacktime. > > > > The problem is that the school asks that one family bring in the > > snacks for the week, and although the teachers attempt half- > > heartedly in > > their form letter to encourage parents to bring in healthy snacks, > > the bottom line is that the parents can bring in what they want. I > > would like to give them a letter that has a bit of a stronger > > message about the prevalence of sugar and the dangers of too much, > > but I KNOW that I am already targeted as being one of those high > > maintenance parents (I am a teacher too, so I am really cringing at > > this!!) They are bringing in cookies, sometimes candy, etc. They > > will certainly forbid her to eat the snack of the day (and allow her > > to eat one of the healthy snacks from her lunchbox), but I notice > > her becoming increasingly resentful of this. > > > > Has anyone had a similar experience, or do you have ideas about what > > I could include in the letter that I propose they use (food items, > > data about sugar,etc.). I really thought my challenge would be > > vegetarianism, but my daughter, at 3 GETS it, but the sugar is just > > too tempting for her, and I don't want her to feel any more excluded > > than she has to. Here in our part of SoCal the mainstream > > preschool is the only choice for us right now. I will add that I > > work full time, and she is there for the whole day. > > > > Thanks for reading my lengthy message! > > > > Peace, > > Melissa > > > > > > > > > > > > For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at > > http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to > > http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to > > provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a > > qualified health professional. > > > > edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health > > professional. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Hi Kelli, I would love some recipes! Thank you. , " Kelli J. " <KelliJohnston wrote: > > you can make cookies that don't have sugar in them. I make a cookie sweetened with bananas or dates and they are very sweet but healthy. There are also many raw food recipes that are excellent and creative that they can actually make in class (if the teacher is up for a project).To the kids, they are eating cookies but they are nothing like the garbage out there! I think it is very important that children don't get sugar every day or a least a VERY small amount. The teacher should really be on top of this (hence your concern )). > > To add what I said before, maybe bringing in cool recipes like I was talking about above would inspire them to be more careful about health in their classroom? > If you are interested in some recipes, let me know. ) > > Kelli > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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