Extravagant Pack Lunches

So do I. They taste the same and are great in bagels.

I would much rather my child eat unprocessed steak and smoked salmon than ham! A packet of smoked salmon is not anymore expensive than a packet of ham these days.

I don't think it's over the top in a judgy way. My thoughts would be around context though...

My DS has a bog standard cheese sandwich on bakery bread most days. I don't think this is any better or worse nutritionally than the examples you've stated. I make this option because it's OK cost and health-wise, DS likes it, and to spend time doing anything fancier than this isn't a good use of my time or stress levels. For me personally, there is no benefit of making a steak sandwich that would justify the effort of doing it.

If the parent in question thrives on putting effort into packed lunches and sees it as worth it then that's completely fine/good. If it's done for appearances or some sort of martyrdom at great stress to themselves then obviously not so good (for them).

Quite a usual lunch. The type of food I send as I want my children to eat a nutritious lunch.

I think it is dreadful that you are judging young children's lunch boxes. Children, who have very little say in what goes into their packed lunch nutritious or otherwise.

Would you share judgement face to face with their parent, who provides their child with a nutritious healthy lunch?

you should be more concerned with the children who bring in junk food for their lunch, but you shouldn't not be judging either way, as it is not your place to do so.

If you feel that strongly about packed lunches why not do something constructive about it rather than criticising children and families for their lunch choices?

Lunch club? Cookery club or some such?

Exactement.

Yes, YABVU. Parents pack what their children will eat. Options are also limited by what nurseries/school allow in. I always made freshly cooked salmon for my child to have for lunch at nursery one or two days a week. He's never eaten sandwiches, never liked the options at nursery/school, always loved salmon and he needed something filling and healthy to give him energy. For the record, it takes 10min to steam a piece of salmon and I had 3 min wage jobs at the time. I still wanted to feed my child well. Why is it over the top to feed your child normal, home cooked food?

Maybe they want their child to have steady blood sugar levels throughout the day so they can focus and learn? Sounds good to me.

This has actually broken my heart.

If someone can fit all of that into a 5 year old, at lunchtime, ongratulations. Other than quantity, I dont see a problem.

A healthy lunchbox! Shock horror! Whatever next?

It sounds lovely (if rather a lot - I'd never get through it but then, I'm not a growing child!).

DGD of 23 months devours smoked salmon, steak, salad, home made pasta, veggie curry, Dahl, salads etc. if she was given a jam sandwich she would likely spit it out! The child at school is obviously eating healthily at home and the lunchbox reflects that. Much better than a load of ultra processed food that could eventually lead to all sorts of health issues.

That's really great, well balanced food. Much better than sandwiches everyday.

I grew up with wanky lunchboxes and it wasn’t because my parents were rich, it’s because they were educated. This did set me apart from other kids with their white bread ham sarnies, penguin biscuits etc, and I was jealous of them. I was the one with the hummus before there was hummus in every supermarket, or indeed the salmon, the leftover curry, or the cucumber (exceptional in those days). I’m glad they taught me about food because I eat healthily now as an adult, but at the time it was mortifying.

Snap @MsVisual

I’m so fed up with these threads where Op drops something inflammatory then never returns. It’s rampant atm. Why do people bother replying?

Yet again the OP has fucked off. Seems to be a popular recently, OP post something inflammatory and ignorant then never comes back

Don't! She'll collapse with the level of absurdity involved.

Sounds delicious! I would be jealous!

Sushi was big in DS's primary. Quite a few of the boys would take it for lunch.

I think it's great when kids have developed palates.

I'm more curious about how a TA knows who has and hasn't paid off their mortgage to be honest.

Sounds like the child is eating very well.

Better than bloody lunchables and white bread sandwiches with ham, which I'd wager most kids get!

Health wise, that kid is winning.

If I could afford it and my kids would let it get even close to their mouth I would give them this. But alas cubes of cheese, plain bread, tuc biscuits and chopped up carrots and cucumber it is...

My Year 2 pupils used to have chips and curry sauce for tea every night. They would have cold chips and curry sauce for breakfast and a Ginsters pasty from the petrol station , delivered to school once the parent had got out of bed .

Fish ball!!! The best, also, cold fried fish.

Lemon and dill far too fancy for my beigels 😆