While parents can rest easy now that most schools have banned serious allergens like nuts from lunchboxes, a new proposed ban really pushes the limits: birthday cake.
To kick off the year, some schools have gone as far as banning birthday cakes, or even disapproving all sweet treats in lunch boxes altogether.
Naturally, this has split parents right down the middle. Is it necessary to send the right message to kids about junk food, or is it taking it a step too far?
The case against cake.
What’s wrong with a little cake every so often?
Well, the problem is that a lot of kids are not eating sugar occasionally. In fact, Aussie kids aged 9 to 13 are eating up to 31 teaspoons of sugar a day. Yet the World Health Organization recommends just five teaspoons for girls and 6 teaspoons for boys aged 9 to 13. Yikes.
And, while parents have the responsibility of monitoring their child’s nutrition at home, what they eat at school is largely out of their hands.
It’s hard enough kids can spend their change on Paddle Pops at the school canteen. So, perhaps a cake to celebrate every child in the class is simply too much sugar.
A step too far?
While it’s important to inform children on healthy choices, they are also at a formative age when labelling food as “good” or “bad” can have potentially dangerous undertones.
This was brought to the fore last week when a child was sent home with an admonishing letter for bringing chocolate slice to school (complete with a big red frowny face).
“I understand harried teachers are most likely trying to carry out school policy while not being trained dieticians,” says media commentator Melinda Tankard Reist, who shared the photo of the letter received by her friend.
“But I’ve been told of cases of children whose food was sent home uneaten – because it was not approved. So the child had nothing to eat all day. My biggest concern is where this shaming around food takes us.”
Melinda’s concerns are echoed by food psychologist, Kellee Waters, who says childhood experiences often shape our relationship with food for life.
“Don’t use words like ‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘dieting’ or ‘guilty’,” says Kellee. “Instead, talk about foods that will give kids energy to run around, play and grow, or foods that will give their brain the power to think and learn.”
How to make a compromise.
If you feel your school celebrates rather too frequently and fructosey, marching in to ban all birthday cake probably won’t get people on your side. Ditto angry letters in lunchboxes. We suggest these gentler approaches:
- Birthday roundups. Suggest a monthly party to celebrate the kids born in that month. This will also be more inclusive of the kids who don’t have anything to bring on their birthdays.
- Canteen cleanup. Birthdays may come and go, but children always have access to the canteen. Campaign for a healthier canteen and birthday cakes really will be a treat.
- Lead by example. When it’s your turn, bake an IQS-approved recipe. Once the kids have happily dug in, your child can explain that it’s sugar-free (and maybe even hiding some zucchini or sweet potato!). You can bet they’ll be telling mum and dad all about it!
Weigh in below: should birthday cake be banned in schools?
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