Kid keeps eating school lunch

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s 5 meals a week of 21. Make the other 16 healthy and don’t worry about the 5

And what about when it’s university free breakfast too? Now that’s 10 meals of junk per week provided. Thanks public schools.

They're going to start eating whatever they want as they grow older (outside of the house) anyway, so mainstream american junk food is not something you can physically shield them from forever. Just try to model healthy eating while they're still at home so they can circle back to it as adults.

You aren’t wrong. But still, schools shouldn’t be providing it. Not only do they give out two meals per day of garbage but then every incentive at school is candy, pizza, or donuts in between the junky meals. It’s ridiculous and normalizes this food as staples

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or consider that your kid eating school lunch de stigmatizes eating it for kids who cant afford bring things from home. And work on advocacy to improve school lunch so its not junk.

yes to this.

[Anonymous]

School lunches are not that bad compared to what 90% of Americans are sending their kids with for lunch or providing at home. I do get it - my kids all went to a Montessori day care where they had beautiful meals on real dishes with a French-trained cook, so it was always a bit of a jolt (for me- not them of course!) when they started K and switched to pizza and chicken nuggets. My older two are now in middle school, and they both have very healthy habits, even though they buy lunch at school, and it's nice not having to worry about packing lunches. In retrospect, I am glad this is one battle I did not worry about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s 5 meals a week of 21. Make the other 16 healthy and don’t worry about the 5

And what about when it’s university free breakfast too? Now that’s 10 meals of junk per week provided. Thanks public schools.

They're going to start eating whatever they want as they grow older (outside of the house) anyway, so mainstream american junk food is not something you can physically shield them from forever. Just try to model healthy eating while they're still at home so they can circle back to it as adults.

You aren’t wrong. But still, schools shouldn’t be providing it. Not only do they give out two meals per day of garbage but then every incentive at school is candy, pizza, or donuts in between the junky meals. It’s ridiculous and normalizes this food as staples

Where is this? I’m in Arlington and the schools don’t give out food for anything (I think in large part because food allergies). I’ve volunteered for a number of class parties/school events and it’s always just crafts and fun music, maybe a movie running during a party. Even Valentine’s and Halloween there is no candy. When there are incentives it’s stuff like extra recess or an extra library book.

Sometimes there is a PTA run event with pizza, but you have to buy the pizza and I don’t think pizza for dinner on occasion is end of the world.

I’m surprised there are schools still hanging out junk to kids in this day and age.

[Anonymous]

My 8 year old learnt to go through the lunch menu and decide which day to bring home-cooked lunch. It doesn't have to be either or. You go through the lunch menu with her and talk about why processed food are not healthy. But if she had to eat that Friday pizza, let her. You can't passive aggressively made her to eat home lunch. Involve her in the decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to pack something more appealing than the school lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s 5 meals a week of 21. Make the other 16 healthy and don’t worry about the 5

And what about when it’s university free breakfast too? Now that’s 10 meals of junk per week provided. Thanks public schools.

They're going to start eating whatever they want as they grow older (outside of the house) anyway, so mainstream american junk food is not something you can physically shield them from forever. Just try to model healthy eating while they're still at home so they can circle back to it as adults.

You aren’t wrong. But still, schools shouldn’t be providing it. Not only do they give out two meals per day of garbage but then every incentive at school is candy, pizza, or donuts in between the junky meals. It’s ridiculous and normalizes this food as staples

Where is this? I’m in Arlington and the schools don’t give out food for anything (I think in large part because food allergies). I’ve volunteered for a number of class parties/school events and it’s always just crafts and fun music, maybe a movie running during a party. Even Valentine’s and Halloween there is no candy. When there are incentives it’s stuff like extra recess or an extra library book.

Sometimes there is a PTA run event with pizza, but you have to buy the pizza and I don’t think pizza for dinner on occasion is end of the world.

[/b]I’m surprised there are schools still hanging out junk to kids in this day and age[b].

They aren’t. But it’s the go to argument for almond mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s 5 meals a week of 21. Make the other 16 healthy and don’t worry about the 5

And what about when it’s university free breakfast too? Now that’s 10 meals of junk per week provided. Thanks public schools.

They're going to start eating whatever they want as they grow older (outside of the house) anyway, so mainstream american junk food is not something you can physically shield them from forever. Just try to model healthy eating while they're still at home so they can circle back to it as adults.

You aren’t wrong. But still, schools shouldn’t be providing it. Not only do they give out two meals per day of garbage but then every incentive at school is candy, pizza, or donuts in between the junky meals. It’s ridiculous and normalizes this food as staples

Where is this? I’m in Arlington and the schools don’t give out food for anything (I think in large part because food allergies). I’ve volunteered for a number of class parties/school events and it’s always just crafts and fun music, maybe a movie running during a party. Even Valentine’s and Halloween there is no candy. When there are incentives it’s stuff like extra recess or an extra library book.

Sometimes there is a PTA run event with pizza, but you have to buy the pizza and I don’t think pizza for dinner on occasion is end of the world.

[/b]I’m surprised there are schools still hanging out junk to kids in this day and age[b].

They aren’t. But it’s the go to argument for almond mom.

They are, maybe not in wealthy elementary school districts. But in middle schools, especially ones that are not in wealthy areas, it’s the #1 incentive teachers use

[Anonymous]

It's funny that there are so many constraints on school lunches. ..salt, fat , whole grains but parents still think they are junk. Unappealing for sure but they might be OK nutritionally.

[Anonymous]

Work with them to make good food choices. We have a salad bar at our Fairfax County public school that the kids go through BEFORE getting in the hot food line. The idea is that they load up their plate with fruits and veggies. Does it always work? No, but if you can get your daughter to focus on the salad bar, she’s getting great food.

Also, as others have said, there are so many regulations around school lunch. Honestly, the options are so boring to me. But my son gets it because he just loves that chocolate milk. And yes, he refuses to eat the lunches I pack.

[Anonymous]

My kid likes school lunch too and so I told them they can have it twice a week. They pick which days have a lunch they like the most, and I pack them lunch the rest of the time.

[Anonymous]

I would be annoyed too. The school lunches are really bad. But- it wouldn’t be my hill to die on either- or worth a power struggle. Hopefully it is just a phase.

Can you let her choose her own things (let her come to the store with you) for packed lunch? She is probably bored with what you are packing and wants some choice/is trying to exercise some independence.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I want to thank everyone for chiming in here. it has really been helpful to me. I currently involve my daughter in meal selection and cooking at home. I will just continue to encourage healthy eating at home, and give up at school. I will try and encourage fruits for breakfast before school. Thanks again.

I wish I were rich and could afford private school. But given my pocket book, I think this is the best approach. Hang in there fellow moms!

[Anonymous]

You fools must make some nasty food if your kid prefers cardboard pizza

[Anonymous]

Have you told her she's not allowed to? You're the parent and she's to eat what you pack? And then make sure it's stuff she likes.

Of course if your kid does whatever she wants and ignores what you say, that's a different problem.