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Original poster

AIBU to be concerned about my daughter's school lunch menu?

88 replies

Mrspepperpotpot · 10/09/2026 20:43

DD goes to an independent school not sure if that makes a difference.

They have school lunches included but I’m getting really annoyed about what they are having. Every lunch includes a ‘salad’ bar but this also includes ham so my DD has just informed me today that she has ham everyday alongside her meal.

This week has been sausages rolls and chips and beans with cake and jelly, sausages and chips with cake and ice cream, meatballs and potatoes with cake, hotdogs (frankfurters) and pasta (?!) chocolate cake for pudding. Last week was sausages rolls again and bolognese.

It was similar all last year but we don’t get a menu so I’m relying on DD telling me, there is always a pasta option I think.

Would you say something about this menu? They don’t have any fish unless fish fingers sometimes on a Friday. Almost everyday they have meat and it is usually processed like burgers, sausages, meatballs, hotdogs, cake everyday and then the addition of extra ham!!

Not sure if I’m being precious

OP posts:
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Chunkybabythighs · 10/09/2026 20:51

Ah okay thank you for humouring my ham question, I didn't know it was such a no no food.

Underchairstair · 10/09/2026 20:50

Oioiqueen · 10/09/2026 20:48

School meals aren't great in general, state is even worse.

Can't you just send in a packed lunch?

I think the meals my children eat on a state school and the children I teach eat in a state school are considerably better than that.

Original poster
Mrspepperpotpot · 10/09/2026 20:50

Oioiqueen · 10/09/2026 20:48

School meals aren't great in general, state is even worse.

Can't you just send in a packed lunch?

not sure if it’s an option but she’d be the only one in the school with it so she wouldn’t want that

OP posts:
clary · 10/09/2026 20:50

I think the OP’s concern is that all the meat is ultra processed. Things like ham, sausages, bacon are not recommended for eating every day.

Tbh @Mrspepperpotpot i would ask to see a menu and I would not be wild about those options, but there may be other better choices?

Can you encourage her to choose pasta and some actual salad? How old is she? It’s a shame there’s not things like chicken stir fry or a quorn choice or fish pie tbh but it’s hardly going to be pork chops I guess.

Original poster
Mrspepperpotpot · 10/09/2026 20:49

MiceSpiders · 10/09/2026 20:47

DS is in state school and this is his menu (one of 3 on rotation this term), do you not get to make the choices at home? We do on an app and it has to be done by the night before or later I think is 7am the morning of the meal. Or can she take a packed lunch? They also have a salad bar but it's salad not ham

This is a million times better than what she has!

OP posts:
Oioiqueen · 10/09/2026 20:48

School meals aren't great in general, state is even worse.

Can't you just send in a packed lunch?

Original poster
Mrspepperpotpot · 10/09/2026 20:48

Chunkybabythighs · 10/09/2026 20:44

What's so bad about ham? misses the point entirely

The world health organisation classifies processed meats as a class 1 carcinogen, they have been proven to cause colorectal cancer with consumption (any consumption let alone everyday!!)

OP posts:
coldcalling · 10/09/2026 20:48

It sounds pretty rubbish, but is it possible your DD is giving you a rather edited version of the menu? I'd be inclined to ask if they can email a copy of the menus for the week/term so you can see for yourself.

MiceSpiders · 10/09/2026 20:47

DS is in state school and this is his menu (one of 3 on rotation this term), do you not get to make the choices at home? We do on an app and it has to be done by the night before or later I think is 7am the morning of the meal. Or can she take a packed lunch? They also have a salad bar but it's salad not ham

AIBU to be concerned about my daughter's school lunch menu?
AIBU to be concerned about my daughter's school lunch menu?
BarbaraVineFan · 10/09/2026 20:47

I don’t think this is allowed under school meal regulations? They are only allowed 2 portions of processed meat a week I think

Oioiqueen · 10/09/2026 20:46

Chunkybabythighs · 10/09/2026 20:44

What's so bad about ham? misses the point entirely

It's generally processed in that it's full of nitrates and preservatives. A lot of people avoid it or give in moderation

Octavia64 · 10/09/2026 20:45

Is your dd vegetarian?

rhe meals don’t sound healthy but there’s usually a meat option and a veggie option.

meat option available every lunchtime is normal, yes

Chunkybabythighs · 10/09/2026 20:44

What's so bad about ham? misses the point entirely