Suggested Snack Lists

I posted a suggested snacks lists as a permanent side bar -- in Spanish and English -- to the right and down below.

These are great lists to pass out to parents at the beginning of the school year, or anytime.

There are so many food moments in school that are within our control, and it's a great idea to focus on these.

Another thing to do with a snack list is to list a few nearby stores where parents can get these items -- make it as easy as possible!

I met a teacher from the Bronx once whose school had outright banned junk food in lunches and at snacks. After several notices and a transition period (in which junk food was confiscated but returned at the end of the day), the teachers finally started throwing away all junk food they found. To make it easier for parents and kids, they wanted to have the bodega near the school have a shelf of approved snacks, so kids could just go in and know which snacks were okay. What a great idea! Unfortunately, the bodega was under contract with its suppliers to display certain food together in a particular way.

And, unfortunately, parents complained about their kids' food being thrown away, and the rule was repealed. Not sure why they couldn't just go back to returning food at the end of the day. I still think it's a great idea. It maybe just shouldn't have involved throwing away the food.

Considering what we now know about additives and preservatives found in junk food affecting kids' behavior, it seems especially important to try to limit the junk food in school.

-Larissa