School Dinners or Packed lunch?

Question

My son starts full time school in september and today we had our dinner in the canteen so that he gets to know it!!! He didn't touch a thing because it was all too new for him! Am I right in thinking that it would be best to start him off with a packed lunch for a while so that he can get used to the new enviroment? And then maybe after a month or so try him with the school dinners and see how it goes? At least if he has a packed lunch it will be things that he likes made from home and i know what and how much he is eating!

Answer 1

Maybe have a chat and see what the other parents are doing, or if hes made any friends what they are doing so they can go together?

Or id go with packed to start, then switch to dinners when he is comfortable...

Good Luck! Ive got to send my son to school soon.. booo! hoo! xx

Answer 2

I think it really depends on how well your child eats.  If he is quite fussy and doesn't like trying new food you may be better making him a packed lunch.  At least that way you know exactly what he has eaten.  On the other hand, children are led by peer pressure and it may be that if the other children are eating a school dinner and enjoying it, he may be inclined to do the same as them. A friend of mine has a little boy who is extremely fussy and eats very little.  He never used to touch fruit or veg, but he now goes to nursery every day and has a cooked meal there and he eats far more than he does at home.

I know Jamie Oliver has high-lighted how bad school dinner where, but lots have changed since then.  There are new Government guidelines in place about what can and can't be served and if you are in any doubt about how healthy the dinners are you can always talk to the cook and ask to see a menu each week in advance.

My daughter starts school in September as well and I am very careful about what I feed her.  She has no additives (flavouring, sweetener, colours or preservatives), but after talking with the school I am happy that all the meals are homecooked and processed meat products are only on the menu once a week (she will have a packed lunch that day).  They are also only served something fried such as chips one day a week and are always offered fruit and yogurts.

My daughter has always had her main cooked meal in the middle of the day and that is the main reason for letting her have a hot school dinner.

You can buy some lovely healthy things to put in packed lunches these days and can be as nutitious and sometimes more so than a cooked meal.  I think you need to think more about what fits into your lifestyle best and also ask your little boy what he prefers.  It is important to let children help make decisions like that, he may change his mind in time.

Good luck

Answer 3

packed lunch deffo!  did you not see jamie olivers documentary on what they serve kids now adays!  everything with chips!  by doing a packed lunch you know what hes eating and he wont turn into one of these statistically obese kids you see!  make sure you do try new things through packed lunch though.  not just sandwhiches all the time but mini pitta bread with hummous, wraps with chicken salad, raw veg fingers and stuff like that!

Answer 4

No Michelle, I say stuck with the school lunch from that start.  I tried splitting it up and my kids would not go near the school stuff after having gad a home lunch for so long.  I ruined them!

Answer 5

Erm - no, you might not know if he's eaten all his lunch, or if he's thrown or given it away.

My school dinners were horrible - way back then it was all boiled cabbage and mashed potatoes and gristley stew. And cold spam fritters with warm diced beetroot - anyone remember that?

If you're satisfied with the school dinners, and with the standard of supervision, start as you mean to go on. He'll soon be tucking in.

Don't let him see you worry about it!

Answer 6

Can he do both? Load him up with snacks from home, but let him know that the main part of eating has to be at school? I think once he makes some friends, it won't be such a problem. They will all gobble without giving it a second thought.

Answer 7

Go with the school, it's free.

Answer 8

Well ,I think why not let him bring his lunch from home.At least you know what he is eating.Most of that School lunch is not that healthy anyway.And if he wants to try it one day then let him try it until then let him take his lunch to school.I don't see a problem with that.Let him make that decision.I would say you should feel better about it if he makes the decision.

Answer 9

Does the school have a menu??  Have him pick some things he thinks he will like. Have him try one thing a week.  Slowly as he sees the other kids eating it, he will want to try too.  Let him pick as many things as he thinks he will like.  I am not sure where you are from things may be different here, I am not sure if that helps.