Recently at dinner with friends, a contested subject came up; Friday pizza day at our preschool. And notably the fact that Lil Diva was only allowed to have it on special occasions – but not EVERY week.
Pizza... Every Friday?
Many may disagree with this decision, but I would argue that my preschool should never put me in this position in the first place. If I didn’t otherwise love the school – I would go elsewhere.
So before I go any further – let’s examine this weekly “FUN” past time of having
Let’s refresh our memory for a minute and remember that an average 4 year old child should be consuming 1200-2000 calories daily.
Pizza Day Menu
- Numero Uno Personal Cheese Pizza
630 Calories – 250 from fat – 1370 Grams of Sodium – With minimal actual nutrients of any value!- Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies
280 Calories – 120 from fat – 18 Grams of Sugar – 200 Grams of Sodium- Capri Sun Juice Pouch
90 Calories – 20 Grams of Sugar
Now for a special occasions… I give in. I’m not that hard core. But every week… Really? And don’t forget add the requisite pizza and cake at the birthday parties we attend, then add gatherings with family and friends… and I might like to give a few treats to my lil’s once in a while – So I’m not ALWAYS the heavy.
When I was growing up, every now and then (2 or 3 times a year) the school would have hot dog day and I’m sure my mom didn’t want me eating hot dogs and we didn’t have enough money… so was usually left out. I don’t want my children to feel that way… so I always make sure to send them with a treat in their lunch on pizza day, and I let her have pizza day on special occasions. My mom was never up against a weekly event.
For now at school I’m forced to be the “mean” mom who objects to subjecting my child to a weekly lunch that contains 1000 calories and nearly 1400 Grams of Sodium.
You can argue with me and say “what’s the big deal… it’s just a little pizza… take a chill pill,” and I have to respond by saying that is exactly the problem. We are continually giving in to poor food choices regarding them as a one offs – when in fact they are cumulatively having a significant impact on the diets of our children. In the short term it’s not going to kill anyone…today. But this approach to food is unequivocally reducing their life expectancy of our children and setting them up for a myriad of health issues. There is nothing cute or fun about that.
I believe in a balanced approach and I hear other mom say they use the 80/20 rule – so I think they look for balance too. My concern is the balance of actual real, wholesome food is no where close to 80/20.
{ 9 comments… add one }
Wow that is a ton of calories for a preschooler. I don’t blame you one bit for standing up and saying that is not okay for my child. I would do the same. It is so hard not to cave in to peer pressure surrounding bad food choices for our children. I stay at home with my Little Bit but I encounter a similar problem with my parents. They take him out shopping on Mondays and Tuesdays and they always eat out. Little Bit is only nine months old now but he is eating finger foods. In my Mom’s dictionary finger foods for babies include things like french fries and cheese off a greasy burger. I freaked out a little last night and told her that was NOT okay. He has organic baby food and whole wheat bread in his diaper bag. That is what is okay to feed him. Of course she got flustered and told me she would never try to feed him ANY kind of finger food again which honestly is okay with me. Stay strong. We are doing what is best for our children. It is our duty to ensure they learn healthy eating habits. We are the parents. Even if we have to be the bad guys to other people it is our responsibility to guide these little people and give them the best foundation we can. Great job, keep it up!
Aside from the fact that it’s your child so it’s your business- why start with the bad habit of making greasy, unhealthy pizza a staple food in preschool? I could understand if the pizza was super healthy- made from organic whole wheat crust, natural tomato sauce, a little organic cheese, and tons of veggies- but regular pizza is plain unhealthy and to be honest with you I’m not even sure small children have the capacity to properly digest the stuff.
I’m sure your daughter will thank you one day, you’re doing the right thing.
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This is ridiculous, but seeing as you’ve been struggling with this for __ years now, it may be high time to consider another situation. Especially since Julia has moved on and Ben just started. Our daycare/pre-school is somewhat of a co-op where the parents supply snack each 2 times per month. Not only are we required to provide only fruit & veggies, but they must be organic! and this is not some hippy school Good luck!
I think you are showing a perfectly fair and very responsible balance.
With all the health problems affecting young people today, it’s almost
offensive that the school does this EVERY week. And almost more offensive that it puts you in that
awkward situation. It’s so sad that more
parents there aren’t with you on this. I am so on board with you on this. Jim and I struggle to keep Sammy eating healthy food without being monsters. For the most part, she can’t have anything unhealthy when she’s with us unless she’s had all her fruits and veggies for the day. We are not as good as you are – we take her to McDonald’s or something similar. about once a week if she’s exercised during the week and eaten decently. It’s a constant struggle trying to keep the healthy food going when dealing with another parent that lets her eat whatever she chooses and (like you said) all the parties and sleep-overs and all the friends of hers that get to eat what ever THEY want. And her friends don’t have to eat vegetables or go out with to walk the dog or ride a bike – they can watch TV or play video games alllll day and eat chips and have soda and mini corn dogs and chicken fingers and candy and OMG we’re just so unfair to her – just ask her! We ARE MONSTERS!!! So what I’m really trying to say is I’m so glad WEEEE don’t have to deal with Pizza day!!And my big issue with you is that you cruelly chose a picture of a very delicious looking pizza and I really, really want it!! Now!
My sentiments exactly!!! My middle school daughter came home today to say that she ran six laps
during gym and she got and “A” ……and they rewarded the kids who got “A”s with CANDY?! WHAAAA? Couldn’t they just high five her and leave it at that? Does junk food ultimately make you feel better about your accomplishments? Schools should leave the food choices (and the rewards) up to the parents. Great post!
That is REALLY shocking too! What are they thinking… here kids… run… candy for ALL!
That is a really unhealthy pizza!! I’m not familiar with that brand but I wouldn’t be happy about it either. My childs school does a lunch each friday and I do always get it. But it is much healthier. The pizza is once or twice a month and is a slice of cheese pizza that weighs in at 220 calories 6 grams of fat (pizza pizza here is canada)
I am very appalled that they would even suggest that. Seeing that our country has an obesity problem, which is now increasing in children, poor nutritional decisions won’t help. More and more schools are removing the soda and snack machines from the schools. But if the school wants the kids to eat pizza, cookies and sugar filled juice, then where’s the change?
Are they going to pay for your doctor visits? Are they going to pay for your diabetic needs? Sure, it’s a bit extreme, but that’s how it starts. First you have the cake and goodies during birthdays and holidays, now pizza every Friday, which may lead to other unhealthy activities.
I am totally with you, and I’m sure other parents must be also, but are not being vocal about it. I would not have my child join in and continue to provide him with a nutritional lunch. And I don’t want to spend my hard earned money on junk food each week.
For Friday fun why don’t they do something fun outside? Compete in an obstacle course. Or hire a tumble bus. I think it comes to my son’s school once a month. Can you suggest an alternative to pizza day?
Even more shocking, just this past week I was talking to one of our teachers who told me at least 5 parents have asked her if there was any way they could offer the pizza lunch daily!!!! She said at least 20 parents have asked the director if it could be offered daily.