Anonymous wrote:Also how is this different if the family keeps a kosher kitchen? Or if they are vegetarian and don't want you to heat meat in the microwave?

This is fine BUT it has to be agreed upon first.

Anonymous wrote:Trader Joe's is not cheap and neithet is organic food. I buy organic eggs and milk and each one is close to $5.00. Organic meat and fish ate more thsn twice ad much per lb. tham non-organic. OP, grow some balls and stop letting her determine how much you spend on food. You are working fot an abusive control freak.

I live in CA where food usually costs WAY more than on the east coast. TJ is not that expensive! Sure, when looking at prices for organic stuff, it can be more but nobody told her that she has to buy organic, just eat a bit better at work than what she had been. Bring a hard-boiled egg instead of some cookies, bring some inner peas instead of cheetos. No matter where you shop, organic food will be pricier, but if you don't need it all to be organic then it can be cheap as well. When comparing prices of their products to similar ones at another grocery store, you can save a good amount. $5.99 for a 4 pack of probiotic yogurt smoothies elsewhere, compared to $3.49 at TJ's. You can't tell me that isn't cheap. The bread I like to buy just went up in price, but it was $2.29 for a loaf of the Tuscan Pane for the longest time. I would love for you to try and find anything comparable in another store for that price! The best you could find elsewhere was sourdough on sale, stuff normally $3.99-4.99 a loaf on sale for like $2.50-2.99.

Also how is this different if the family keeps a kosher kitchen? Or if they are vegetarian and don't want you to heat meat in the microwave?

No I am not obedient and unemotional...seriously?? I am paid very well and I know what's expected of me..I have so many perks. Plus I really like my employers and want to do a great job. In 4 years we have never once had an issue..that's unheard of..

If the nanny were eating apples and whipping out salads left and right to eat for lunch, I guarantee this mother would not be raising any issues about the OP's lunch. You don't have to eat organic to avoid junk food.

Trader Joe's is not cheap and neithet is organic food. I buy organic eggs and milk and each one is close to $5.00. Organic meat and fish ate more thsn twice ad much per lb. tham non-organic. OP, grow some balls and stop letting her determine how much you spend on food. You are working fot an abusive control freak.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess I disagree with the majority...but I am a nanny and compensated very well to be exactly what the parents want me to be..I am careful what music I play on the radio...what I would put on the tv...I dress nicely every day because I am out with these kids all day and it's a reflection one the family....so I don't see how this is different. Some parents don't want their kids to be around chips etc..if its a good job and you like it, why not just pack fruit, yogurt, healthy leftovers etc...maybe I am crazy but I can see where this moms coming from..I tell the 2 I nanny all the time that food like chips, Doritos etc are for other people not them so maybe that is a helpful response..I can see too where this would be offensive but I would try and roll with it.

Wow! A Stepford nanny.

Stepford = obedient and unemotional
How lovely. Just the person you desire, to raise your child.

The Inner Peas are also only like $1.29 here in SF, and huge bags of Sesame Sticks are only $2.29 (where you might pay about $5-7 for less than half the amount at a store that does bulk foods).

Anonymous wrote:Swap the Cheetos for those snap peas. They sell them at trader joes in the chip aisle for like $1.49 bag and will satisfy that crunch you're used to.

OMG, I love Inner Peas!! I discovered them a couple of months ago, and while I don't really like actual peas, these are a great snack! I love how light and crispy they are. TJ has tons of great healthy snacks, and some things to head to if you want to be a little bit naughty, like the Candied Pecans or Walnuts. I can go pickup snacks that last for a few weeks for myself, for under $20.

Anonymous wrote:Organic food and Trader Joe's foods are a lot more expensive than the typical grocery store.

Most nannies do not make a ton of money so shopping for organic food may not even be an option.

If your boss wants you to eat organic/healthy meals from now on, then she needs to purchase the food since it is in her budget to do so.

#Shesoundsalittlelooneytome

Are you kidding? Trader Joe's can be pretty cheap. I actually shopped there when I lived nearby because their food was just as cheap as going to another regular chain store (like Lucky). I stopped doing all my shopping there once I moved further away, but I still take the bus there every 2-3 weeks to stock up on healthy snack items and I buy a loaf of bread while there too. Cheapest bread in the world. I was under the impression that it was a pretty expensive place to shop before I had ever actually done so, but it is nowhere near the prices of shopping at a place like Whole Foods.

To the OP, I generally agree that no other person should be telling an adult what they can and cannot eat. In this case though - you eating in HER home while around her kids, that ARE old enough to know what you are eating and no longer take naps where you can eat with them not seeing you, that if she asks you to stop, you should. If you don't want to stop, be prepared to be fired when they decide to hire someone that WILL make healthier eating choices around their children. I understand you like your choices, but you can also make these choices while you eat at YOUR home and make some healthier ones while at work at THEIR home. If you can't make a compromise like this, then you need to find another position, but keep in mind that most families will want someone that chooses healthy eating options around their kids.

Anonymous wrote:To the "free country" brigade: yes, she is free to have nothing but ice cream for lunch, just as her employer is free to fire her. Now that we've addressed our freedoms...

I would offer to eat what the children eat on their dime. If she objects, then explain that you are willing to change your eating habits, but not your shopping habits. She may fire you anyway, but you've then been more than reasonable and she is more likely to offer a good reference.

Not unless diet of nanny was a part of agreement. I'd eat cheetos, potato chips, fried bologna with onions, diet coke, and snack l day on Oreos. Those little kids woild be drooling and I would tell them, "Sorry. Your ma only wants you to eat tasteless styrofoam food. This is sooo good. Now eat your sugar-, fat-,and taste-free food."

Anonymous wrote:I guess I disagree with the majority...but I am a nanny and compensated very well to be exactly what the parents want me to be..I am careful what music I play on the radio...what I would put on the tv...I dress nicely every day because I am out with these kids all day and it's a reflection one the family....so I don't see how this is different. Some parents don't want their kids to be around chips etc..if its a good job and you like it, why not just pack fruit, yogurt, healthy leftovers etc...maybe I am crazy but I can see where this moms coming from..I tell the 2 I nanny all the time that food like chips, Doritos etc are for other people not them so maybe that is a helpful response..I can see too where this would be offensive but I would try and roll with it.

Wow! A Stepford nanny.

They should ask you to consider eating their more healthy food. I just can't imagine asking anyone to bring their own food to eat while they work a long day in my house. It's plain rude.

OP, would it really be so bad to switch from Bologna to ham? Or rotisserie chicken? The more processed a food is, the more expensive it is per lb. Or make a cheese sandwich. Swap the Cheetos for those snap peas. They sell them at trader joes in the chip aisle for like $1.49 bag and will satisfy that crunch you're used to. Slice some apples and some good cheese (also available at trader joes for less than grocery store prices.) You don't have to eat organic to eat healthy, just be more cautious about washing the produce first. In all honesty your diet is crap...and I say this from one junk food junkie to another.
I eat a lot of produce and the kids NEVER see me eat junk. Never. I wasn't want to teach them better than I was taught.


if I were you, I'd just stuck it up and improve my diet. Ask Mb for budget friendly suggestions. Save the crap for dinner.

I guess I disagree with the majority...but I am a nanny and compensated very well to be exactly what the parents want me to be..I am careful what music I play on the radio...what I would put on the tv...I dress nicely every day because I am out with these kids all day and it's a reflection one the family....so I don't see how this is different. Some parents don't want their kids to be around chips etc..if its a good job and you like it, why not just pack fruit, yogurt, healthy leftovers etc...maybe I am crazy but I can see where this moms coming from..I tell the 2 I nanny all the time that food like chips, Doritos etc are for other people not them so maybe that is a helpful response..I can see too where this would be offensive but I would try and roll with it.