A mum was left frustrated after including a seemingly healthy treat in her toddler's lunchbox only for daycare staff to warn her it wasn’t suitable.
Iman shared a snap of the Freakin’ Healthy Double Chocolate cookies she had included in her three-year-old’s packed lunch, which stated that they are gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, and contain no eggs, soy, or dairy.
The cookie's ingredients include coconut sugar, coconut nectar, and natural vanilla flavour to sweeten. Sounds pretty healthy, right?
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Well, not according to Iman’s son’s nursery who messaged the mum to tell her not to include the cookies in his lunchbox anymore.
In a post on a Facebook group dedicated to kid-friendly lunchbox ideas, Iman wrote: “My son started daycare two days ago and I got a message from his teacher.”
The note from the teacher read: “This is a kind reminder that chocolate, candies, nuts, peanut butter, zaatar, and boiled eggs are not allowed. Our food policy is for the safety of the kids.
“Please note that non-healthy food options are not permitted at school and not allowed to be eaten if brought.
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“Also, we recommend limiting sugary drinks. Therefore we don't recommend sending boxed juices or flavoured milk - our first choice is water and milk.”
Iman’s post was soon flooded with responses from other parents who agreed the request was a little OTT.
One person said: “I understand the allergy concern request but no way would I be okay with a school telling me what they think is healthy or not.
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“I'd be talking to whoever I had to if teachers didn't let my child eat something I packed for them if it's not an allergy-related concern.”
Another said the strict rules may also be a concern for those who ‘may struggle with financial issues and/or single parents who simply don't have enough time to pack/make healthy meals’.
However, other parents sided with the daycare, with one mum sharing: “Why would you want your child eating sugar or chocolate for a snack though? The school is right, it should only be water or milk.
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“I think this is appropriate - there is too much childhood diabetes and obesity. Surely people have enough time to chop a few fruits or throw a quick sandwich together, it is their child's health at the end of the day.”
While another person said allowing the child to eat his ‘healthy’ cookie could present a problem for the teacher who would then have to explain to the other kids why their non-healthy cookies weren’t allowed.
Topics: Food and Drink, Parenting
Claire Reid