Mid Morning snack in Primary School Post Reply

[seabel]

Just wondered what peoples thoughts were on a mid morning snack in primary school. I thought that most schools (whether State or Private) provided a mid morning snack for the children. My school has stopped doing this. We are asked to provide fresh fruit only if our children want a snack. My child doesn't eat her snack that I provide so has nothing until lunchtime. I don't see why I can't send her to school with a small flapjack or a fruit roll or something similar. Before anyone starts (!), I am not meaning chocolate or crisps or anything like that. And my child is very thin for her age and it is a constant struggle to put weight on let alone maintain her current weight. Is this something that I should take up with the school or is a mid morning snack not really that important? Thanks for any thoughts you may have!

[ontheyellowbrickroad]

Some schools provide them and others don't. Tbh I prefer if they didn't have the morning snack as then they eat lunch better.

I would just make sure she has a decent breakfast and then hopefully she will have a good lunch. In lots of other countries they don't have the morning snack, they just have a large afternoon one and then normal meals.

What snacks were the school providing before? Are you sure she was actually eating them? As if she isn't eating what you're providing, either its different to what the school provided or she wasn't eating morning snack anyway-you just never realised before she took in her own

[seabel]

Thanks for your reply. They used to provide a biscuit but she wouldn't eat it so I sent her in with a muesli bar or a small flapjack. They now provide nothing. A bigger breakfast I think!

[supergirl]

Well i think a mid morning is very important. For mist children, they are not that hungry when they wake up and have their breakfast. By the time the day has started and their is fully awoken, thats when hunger starts showing.
My 2 children take a frusli fruit bar each and an innocent juice to give them energy and sugar to last until lunchtime. In this weather particularly it is very important to give energy slow and fast.

Talk to your child and ask him / her what she wants need. I disagree with the biscuit as it is just empty calories.

For those who thinks their children eat better with no snacks, for some kids their metabolism work better if they grase every few hours. It is about energy for the brain / body to perform. (And to keep warm. Your body will be burning twice a fast just to keep the body temp level).

Disclaimer: i m not a professional. This is my experience and the conclusion if a few conversations with pediatrician.

[supergirl]

Their *brain*

[seabel]

Thank you Supergirl - I appreciate your reply. I agree with you completely but was starting to think I was being a bit of an overprotective Mother. I will speak to the school and see what can be done, I am sure we can come to a happy medium. Fingers crossed!

[ontheyellowbrickroad]

I just reread your original post. Will your child not eat any fruit? Most schools that provide a morning snack will only provide fruit. And those who require the child to bring in a snack usually state a healthy snack. Maybe try her with dry fruit ie box of raisins, apricots, dried bananas etc. Or maybe even the yo yo bears

[seabel]

They only allow fresh fruit, not allowed yo yo's or any dried fruit which I thought was rather limited!

[Pud1]

Fruit is provided free at break time for Reception to Year 2 in all state primary schools as part of the government' healthy schools agenda. As you say Petal, often children who say they don't like fruit will start to eat it when there's no alternative and they see their friends enjoying it!

[BFW]

I am not a nutritionist, but having spoken to one I would really think about giving an innocent smoothie every day. They are full of sugar...and I mean a lot!! A recent study (which I will post if I can find it) showed that some of them contained as much sugar as a Coca Cola. Sorry supergirl this is not a criticism as I used to also give them to my children too. But now they only have it as an occasional treat after speaking to a nutritionist and a dentist about them!

I am the no means a health guru...but children snacks are so tricky ! The sugars hidden in the so called Organic Heathy children snacks is unbelievable.

But in answer to your question I also think mid morning snacks is important as my children are also not the best breakfast eaters!

[kirstysimone]

I understand your concerns. All children are different and have different metabolic rates. Could your child drink a cartoon of milk. This is fulfilling and is good for growing kids