Is beans on toast an ok tea for school age children?

Did they have a school dinner?
If so, it's probably fine, although school 'dinner' is a euphemism these days!

DD used to go to a friend's for tea when she was at junior school and friend came here sometimes. I always cooked a dinner but whenever DD went to her friend's house she always had beans on toast.
As far as I know her friend is fine and so is DD!

Not sure about spaghetti on toast though, carbohydrate on carbohydrate - perhaps egg instead?

winterwhite

Not clear from OP whether the children have another meal later. If so, what happened to good old-fashioned tea? Decent bread butter and jam plus dark ecentcake. Or buns? Easy to get ready when children are Hungry.
If their last meal, isn’t 4.30 a bit early.
I’d call baked beans on toast a meal not a snack.

My Mum used to make a high tea (similar to what Kandinsky does) because we had a meat + two veg school dinner.

If I went to my friend's for tea we had bread and butter with jam. I remember the jam, it was black cherry - delicious!

MissAdventure

Ooh yes, lots of black pepper, salt, plenty of butter, and well done (almost burnt) toast.
Lovely!!!

Oh yes, I can't stand pale, flabby toast!

They need something to eat when they come home from school .
Do their parents feed them later ?
I have to admit that I'm not a fan of beans on toast and my children wouldn't eat them either .
Mine liked tea or milk with cake (admittedly always home made ) or biscuits .
They might have wanted toast .
Then , supper a couple of hours later .
Supper would be salad based in summer and casserole based in winter .

"Oh yes, I can't stand pale, flabby toast!"
Down with flabby toast!!

MissAdventure

"Oh yes, I can't stand pale, flabby toast!"
Down with flabby toast!!

It is better for you.

I know, but you can't beat that almost bitter taste of crispy, blackened toast.

MissAdventure

I know, but you can't beat that almost bitter taste of crispy, blackened toast.

Totally with you there. When we had a real fire I would toast bread on a fork and it always had that delicious tangy charred bit.
Now I overdo it in the toaster, put plenty of butter on whilst it is hot, then baked beans with sone grated mature cheddar sprinkled on top.
Best meal ever 👍

I don’t see anything wrong with it at all, my grandchildren lived with us for several years, and it was a favourite evening snack after their sporting activities.
My husband and I sometimes have it for supper if we’re late home, and we both enjoy it.

I think it depends. Ok if they will have a proper meal later on. Otherwise it’s more of a snack.

MissAdventure

I know, but you can't beat that almost bitter taste of crispy, blackened toast.

I love almost burnt toast!

After toaster pops up DH takes his out and I put mine back in again. Slather with butter… I’m drooling now! 🤤

I might have beans for my dinner tomorrow.

Beans, scrambled or boiled eggs, cheese on toast is fine.
Jacket potato with cheese and beans or tuna, all simple to do.

Followed by yogurt and fruit should provide the nutrients they need.

Protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals.

Neither bread nor beans contain protein that contains all the essential amino acids But the two combined and eaten together does. Plus full of fibre especially if using whole meal bread

Most children love beans on toast etc, so no need to worry. Sometimes cheese or eggs for a change maybe.
I'm sure you are doing just fine.

Beans or spaghetti on toast is a perfectly ok tea for your GC. My GC aged 6 and 9 love it - that or pizza. My DD is just thankful that I feed them when they are here !

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Yes Kandinsky perfectly fine.

Could you throw a potato in the oven instead of toast? Unless they are having a main meal later on.

Alternatively make more of your own main meal and zap it for them the next afternoon. It’s does seem early for them at 4.30 to have a main meal.

I'm another who offers eggs. Poached or scrambled usually but occasionally one granddaughter likes an omelette which is really quick and easy and nice with beans, mushrooms, peas or tomatoes etc. If you have a minute ahead of time you could prepare some broccoli which goes down well here or some green beans.

Cauliflower cheese is easy to prepare ahead of time and reheats well.

Avocado on toast is always popular- in fact avocado is often chosen just chopped in pieces and eaten with a fork - it keeps little ones busy whilst I do cheese on toast, pasta or whatever.
I try to keep a homemade pasta sauce "ready to go" in the fridge or freezer too - that's easy.

I try to have two or three easy suggestions in my head to offer - and so they don't always have the same.

We always have fruit. One 3 year old granddaughter loves grapefruit!

I think you are doing sterling work if you are doing this every day!

I wouldn't offer spaghetti hoops or other pasta on toast personally though.
It doesn't feel very balanced.

I used to have tinned sardines in tomato sauce on toast.

Beans on toast was a very regular tea time after school meal when I was growing up. I actually have a dedicated cupboard in my utility room which is just for Heinz beans, in both sizesd tins, depending if we are dining on them solo or A deux. My stocks are a bit of a hangover from the Covid era which I have been keeping regularly topped up. Beans on toast still makes a satisfying light lunch. My grandson likes them but my granddaughter doesn't, I have tried to convey to her that beans are food of the Gods but she says they aren't

Grantanow

I used to have tinned sardines in tomato sauce on toast.

We still do, usually the ones in olive oil (drained) and with cider vinegar.

Spaghetti on toast was popular for tea when I was young but it is carbs on carbs and we did have a 'proper' school dinner in those days.

Beans on toast, cheese on toast, eggs on toast, pate on toast etc... definitely - all good and nutritious.

Oooh pilchards in tomato sauce with white bread sandwiches.

I’m feeling a tad peckish…..