In a world where junk food is available around every corner, and often cheaper than preservative-free foods, it's not surprising that many institutions are becoming increasingly aware of the obesity epidemic around the world, particularly in North America. In today's world, governments, schools, restaurants, and even families are becoming more health-conscious by encouraging physical activity and reading food labels for hidden ingredients.
But many would argue that what goes on a child's plate is ultimately up the the boy or girl's parents, and that it isn't a school's place to dictate what is and isn't allowed inside a child's lunchbox. While many schools in the United States and Canada have set guidelines, some parents believe these rules have become too strict and unreasonable.
Elaina Daoust is a Canadian mother who is defending her choice to put a small piece of banana bread inside her son's lunchbox. The Durham Region mom's young son is a picky eater, and she included the snack-sized treat because she thought that it followed the school's list of acceptable foods.
However, she was surprised when her son told her a teacher had not only taken away the banana bread and told him to eat his grapes instead, but had also included a note for the mom, listing healthy alternative snack ideas.
The reason? The bread contained chocolate chips.
Now, Daoust is infuriated, and has joined forces with other parents claiming that the school's rules about food should not be so stringent, and applied in such a strict manner.
Elaina Daoust, a mother of two, is furious after her son's small lunch treat was confiscated by a teacher.
She had packed a snack-sized piece of banana bread, which she thought was up to the school's food standards.
But a teacher saw the chocolate chips in the bread, and instructed Daoust's young son to eat his grapes instead.
The teacher even sent home a list of snack ideas for the mom to follow that were allowed inside the school.
Daoust isn't the only parents who is disgusted by the strict rules. She insists that she and her family lead healthy and active lifestyles. There was no need to crack down on such a small treat, in her opinion.
She also says that this isn't the first time she's packed the banana bread in her kids' lunches — this is just the first time she has encountered a problem with it.
Daoust isn't the only parent who has felt the consequence of the region's curriculum on healthy eating. Many other parents are saying that their children shouldn't be singled out for what kind of food they bring to school.
Did this teacher and the school go too far in enforcing what many believe to be a silly rule? Let us know in the comments!
Please SHARE if you think healthy eating habits start at home, and if you agree with this mom.
