Category: Junk food in school
Goodbye, Healthy Classrooms! Hello, Cupcakes.
| January 21, 2016 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Competitive foods, Cupcakes, Junk food in school, Making change, School parties, Wellness committee, Wellness policy |
I thought my days of kvetching about cupcakes were over. Last year, with a new district wellness policy in place, my kids’ school parties looked like they’d been hacked from my Healthy School Party Food Pinterest board. Here, for example, is the spread at my then-3rd grader’s class Halloween party. Seriously, does it get any better?!? But […] more
New Year’s Resolution: Take Care of ME
| January 7, 2016 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Classroom treats, Cupcakes, Junk food in school, Making change |
OK, moms: Have you fallen into the “busy trap”? If you constantly feel overwhelmed and dream of escaping to a tropical island, then the answer is probably “Yes.” For the past few years, I’ve been stuck there as well. Don’t get me wrong, I LIKE being busy. And my overscheduled life is totally my own doing. I have no […] more
Frustrated by Junk Food at Your Child’s School? How I Fought Back–and Won
| November 13, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Food rewards, Healthy classroom treats, Improving school food, Junk food in school, Making change, Teachers, Wellness policy |
Three years ago, I was a mom fed up with all the junk food that my kids were getting at school. From cupcake and ice cream parties to Froot Loop necklaces and McDonald’s field trips, it felt like they were being handed unhealthy processed food left and right–the very foods that we were trying hard to avoid. A couple […] more
A Healthier Halloween: 6 Tricks to Keep Your Kid from OD’ing on Sugar
| October 28, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Halloween, Halloween Candy, Healthy classroom treats, Junk food in school |
I know what some of you are going to say: It’s only once a year! (Except, well, it isn’t.). Don’t ruin it for the kids! (Please stop, I’m NOT!). So before chewing me out, keep reading. Because I’m not proposing banishing all Halloween candy or anything over-the-top like that. Instead, I bring you the Sensible Mom’s Guide to […] more
A Year of Healthy Class Parties: A Planning Guide for Parents & Teachers
| September 25, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under 100th Day of School, Classroom parties, Healthy classroom treats, Healthy parties, Healthy school snacks, Healthy treats, Junk food in school, School parties, Sugar, Valentine's Day |
For the past several years, I’ve been chief party planner in my kids’ elementary classrooms. I chose the role in hopes of having healthy class parties, and it really has worked out great. While a couple parents struggled with the absence of cupcakes, the vast majority have embraced the healthy change. And the children? They haven’t batted an […] more
Before Taking On Junk Food at Your Kid’s School, READ THIS
| September 18, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Improving school food, Junk food in school, Making change, School food, School lunch |
Fed up with all the junk food at your child’s school? Wondering why your efforts to teach healthy eating habits are being undermined? A few years ago, I was where you are now. Unable to just live with it, I found myself compelled to fight for change–or die trying! Since then, I’ve learned valuable lessons on how to be a successful advocate for […] more
Take the Healthy School Fundraiser Challenge
| September 10, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Healthy fundraising, Improving school food, Junk food in school, Local food, Making change, USDA policy, Wellness policy |
Does your school have a history of peddling junk food for profit? From bake sales to movie nights to major fundraisers, cookies, candy and other unhealthy stuff has been sold to our children and out in our community—for a good cause, of course. But enlisting kids to sell junk food to friends and families sends […] more
Healthy Classrooms Initiative: Educating Teachers on Healthy School Celebrations, Non-Food Rewards & More
| July 30, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Food rewards, Healthy parties, Healthy snacks, Junk food in school, Making change, School food, School parties, School policy, School wellness programs, Teachers, Wellness policy |
I’m so excited to have teamed up with a local registered dietitian to create an education initiative targeting the people in our school community with the greatest power to influence our kids: our teachers. When a school district doesn’t have a firm policy when it comes to classroom food, teachers are the ones who decide how to handle […] more
Should We Just “Let Kids Be Kids” When It Comes to Junk Food?!?
| May 22, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Classroom treats, Cupcakes, Healthy parties, Junk food in school, Obesity, School parties, Sugar |
A class party without cookies, donuts or cupcakes topped with two inches of frosting? Shocking, I know. But this year, thanks to their nutrition-conscious teacher, my twins and their Kindergarten classmates have feasted on fresh fruit and wholesome treats like whole grain carrot muffins at most school celebrations, including birthdays. And guess what? They are […] more
Why Food Rewards are Bad for Kids (& Ideas for Healthy Classroom Alternatives)
| May 1, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Food rewards, Junk food in school |
The other day, my second grader held up a foil-wrapped chocolate and announced, “Mom!! Last week, Mrs. Z (his teacher) gave me this for being a good listener.” Then he added, “And the week before, I got a Hershey’s Kiss for finishing my work on time!” While I love that he’s being recognized for good behavior, it irked me […] more
I created this blog to raise awareness and start a dialogue about the various issues involved in school food. By writing about it, I hope to provide parents and educators with ideas and inspiration for making healthy changes in their own schools. Since healthy eating habits start at home, I also address common feeding challenges faced by parents.
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