School Food Question - Thanks #18

[happybratpack]

Since I'm clueless I'm asking you guys. The school I toured the other day for Lily I really liked. Regarding food they are a peanut free facility so no outside food can be brought in, no problem. The thing I thought was different was that she said besides the 2-3 times a month they have a ham sandwich everything else served there is soy based. No other meat, period. Is this normal now at schools? I had no clue. Is there anything I should worry about regarding this, I assumed not but I'm not sure.

Thanks!!

 

[mommytotwo]

I had never heard such a thing.
Is this a preschool or elementary school? Private or public?
You might want to ask them why they serve so much soy based products, just out of curiosity.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Well, I see some red flags here. Some real control issues. Somebody here is definately dictating their own preferences. I feel very strongly about food issues, and control issues. If this school is so controlling about foods. (with tiny toddlers and preschoolers!!!) Then I think it would be a fair guess that they also feel controlling with other issues. I would be concerned.

Also, soy is also a potential allergen. Could a peanut allergy also be similar and cause cross reactions to soy? I don't know?

 

[goodeats]

I'd be concerned about a lack of protein. I don't think soy is the end all be all as a lot of people think.

To me it sounds like they are cutting corners.

 

[MAKmom]

Is this a daycare? What do they serve? Is it just lunches? If my DD could'nt have peanutbutter it would be a problem. Do they serve milk? Very interesting. Ask for a month menu.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I can understand if the school were vegetarian, but that is obviously not the case. I'm vegetarian and a vegie school is something that I would look for. This seems a bit strange, though. What are their reasons for the soy diet?

 

[mickeyboat]

I'd be concerned about a lack of protein. I don't think soy is the end all be all as a lot of people think.

To me it sounds like they are cutting corners.

I guess I would not be as worried about the lack of protein, that could be compensated for in breakfast and dinner at home. But I would be concerned about the reasons for the diet, and possible soy allergen issues as well.

Denae

 

[jacksonsmom]

I have never heard of that. We are vegetarians and I would love a veggie school, but since they serve ham they really are not a vegetarian school.

I would point blank ask why the soy lunches? Just out of curiousity.

I would not be worried about the school having a soy type lunch all the time. Of course depending on their answer as to why. My 6 year old has never had a single piece of meat or meat-based products in his life and he is pretty darn healthy over all.
We are not vegan so we do eat dairy products.

 

[barkley]

this sounds realy odd. if there was'nt the ham sandwich being offered (and i did'nt feed my kids any pork products until they were much older) i might think it was a vegatarian menu. my kids attend a seventh day adventist school and the hot lunches are pure vegatarian but are not exclusivly soy based (we can use soy based meat replacement items but can use cows milk, dairy and eggs).

i would be concerned about the nutritional aspects-a soy based (for a toddler not entirely reliant on formula) diet has to be carefully balanced to ensure that the right food combinations are accomplished or a child can be lacking in meeting their nutritional needs.

unless the food program is being administered/devleoped by a nutritionist i would be very hesitant to put my child into a center that does this type of program. i would also be concerned about how the inital effects of going from a regular diet of meats and cow's milk to strictly soy might impact the child (it can take a period of gastric/bowel adjustment-so i could see the potential for some diaper/potty issues and possible rash/irritation in the diaper area.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

i would also be concerned about how the inital effects of going from a regular diet of meats and cow's milk to strictly soy might impact the child (it can take a period of gastric/bowel adjustment-so i could see the potential for some diaper/potty issues and possible rash/irritation in the diaper area.

That brings up an interesting point...what will your DD's diet be before she gets to you? How long will she be with you before she starts school? What is your diet like (or what will it be like when she arrives)?

 

[Wishing on a star]

That is right.. This child will be coming from another culture. Eating preferences and all!!! I just want to repeat my earlier comments that I see huge problems with this being a 'Food' issue and a 'Control' issue!!! (not a nutritional issue at all.)

I would be very concerned about this. Especially with an adopted toddler!

I firmly believe that food should NEVER be a control issue.

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't send my child there. I agree they sound pretty rigid to me with rules based on their rules not for sound reasons. ie all soy but ham why does their child like ham? I also would worry about my child liking the food enough to be happy there, soy isn't for everyone. What do they do about a child who doesn't like or can't eat soy do the just not go there? I would also want the official reason why all soy, have they done enough research and thought about this or do they just make up arbitrary rules when they feel like it.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Exactly, I would have a problem with any school being restrictive and telling me what my child must eat.

I see some real issues.

I would bet money that this school is very eager to also express their 'views' on other issues as well. Not just the food.

 

[chris1gill]

Well, I don't know about this....

Our kids go to private school & I love that they provide the lunches (we can't send it in). Now, granted, they provide meat, but what they also provide, is a full salad and soup bar as well. The children eat in a family setting, with a teacher also eating at each 8 person table... each day a different child acts as the waiter to get the food... this has actually worked remarkably well. The kids meet all the staff & they also meet different classmates as well... the salad & soup are always available if a child doesn't like whatever the main entree is that day.

OP, do you know if the school has food that is set out like a salad/soup bar? That would help if your child didn't like the main. I think people across the globe eat a soy based diet with no problem, so I wouldn't think this was a problem..... I do know there are plenty of kids out there with nut allergies however.... I guess I'd want to know more information about what foods would be available routinely....

By the way, our kids love lunchtime & the food!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I would run (not walk) to another school. They sound "wierd" to me.

 

[MoniqueU]

I wouldn't be sending my child there either. Soy? My kids would go hungry all day before they ate that. Add to that you have a child coming to a brand new culture with brand new foods and she would be expected to eat something alot of americans won't even eat. I think that would just be too much. I don't see the point of it either. It would not be the enviornment I was looking for for my child.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Actually, coming from an Asian diet, she might be more used to soy than the average American child. Three out of my 4 kids wouldn't have a problem with the soy diet, but my 4th child would starve. Personally, I wouldn't put my child in a school that didn't allow the child to pack a lunch. But that's based on what works for my family--some families would love not having to pack a lunch.

 

[happybratpack]

See, this is why I posted this here. Thanks for all the input.

I had never heard of it...when she told me this I asked why and she said they had many children in the school that did not eat meat for either health or religious reasons so they switched to this last year.

I think you guys are right and I'm going to look elsewhere. I like the curriculum and such but I see this being an issue especially since you all pointed out things I didn't think about.

To answer another ?, here's Lily's diet/schedule in the orphanage. It didn't make me happy to see, but I'm glad they shared it w/ me in her paperwork to make the transition easier.

Breakfast: Milk, Egg yolk, rice flour and bits of biscuits
Lunch: Rice or rice gruel, veggies and 50 grams of meat,
Dinner: Rice or rice gruel, steamed buns, veggies
Snack before bed of milk and occasional fruit for daytime snacks
She is also on a rather structured schedule:
Wake at 6 am, naps 12:30 - 2:30, bed at 8 pm
Breakfast at 6:30 am, Snack at 10 am, lunch at 11:30,
Dinner at 5:00 pm and snack at 7:30 pm

 

[Tigger&Belle]

That's almost funny--a lot of people don't eat meat for health or religious reasons, but they serve ham several times a month!

Thanks for sharing Lily's schedule. Interesting to see how different her diet and schedule is. I guess you'll transition her slowly and they'll give you pointers for that sort of thing. Do you have a date for when you'll be getting her yet? She is such a doll! I just want to pinch her cheeks!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Our family is vegetarian - would love a school like this, then my DD wouldn't have to take lunch every day. Actually, in truth, I would settle for anything in between......veggie burgers once in a while, salad bar....anything other than just pizza day and mozzarella sticks day ......as you can my DD's achool is the eact opposite of the one you are describing......