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Original poster

Packed lunch for vegetarian child starting school

12 replies

pallaviprasadgv · 06/07/2019 02:09

Hello mothers...

My little girl is starting school this September. We are vegetarians. She has been going to nursery and preschool since she was 1. In the nursery I wasn't supposed to send lunch. She had trouble eating well there and was never happy with the food. However when she joined preschool an year ago, I packed very good, nutritious lunch for her everyday. It's got lot of vegetables, sprouts, lentils and healthy options. No sugar or junk food. She enjoys it a lot and finishes every bit of it. All of my friends are taken by surprise when they see her eat so many veggies. I am very happy for her having loved her veggies. I enjoy taking time to pack her lunches too.

Now she's starting school in September. I talked to the school and they say its better for her to try the school meals as she would feel left out from other children. There are no other vegetarians in her class and the vegetarian options aren't great too.

I am kind of stressed out a bit about what to do..

Any suggestions please...

Not sure if I am stressing for no reason...

OP posts:
EinsteinsArousedSausagesHCB · 06/07/2019 02:49

My DD(4), is the only one in her class that takes a packed lunch to school. She's not a vegetarian, she just wants to take a packed lunch same as her older sibling. Although they don't sit together at lunch.

I can assure you that she's never felt left out.

Personally, I'd send her with packed lunch to begin with, and if she decides that she wants to try school dinners at a later date, could you not switch?

Mintjulia · 06/07/2019 02:59

Keep sending her with vegetarian food.if she likes it. She won’t feel left out, it’s healthier, the other kids will be interested in what she has to eat.

SnowsInWater · 06/07/2019 03:38

I'd send her with a packed lunch unless she asks to try the school dinners. Apart from one school my kids went to where all the food was veggie and made fresh on site I have found the "veggie option" be pretty dire in English schools.

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Russell19 · 06/07/2019 03:51

School are only saying that because they get funding for each child that has a dinner based on the universal free school meals for under 7s

Namechangeymcnamechange11 · 06/07/2019 07:13

Your prepared food is a lot healthier than school food options. Vegetarian food in schools is rubbish. Will provide do the same when my DC go to school.
Plus you know she'll eat it.

ineedaholidaynow · 06/07/2019 07:28

The funding schools get for the universal free school meals isn’t great, it’s not the same as pupil premium.

Your daughter’s packed lunches do sound more nutritious than the school lunches will be.

In some schools children with packed lunches eat separately from those having school dinners, in DS’s school they would eat in classrooms unless the weather was nice when they sat outside, so it might mean she won’t be eating with her classmates.

FogCutter · 06/07/2019 07:39

In sure she won't be the only child in her class with a packed lunch. Evan though school meals are free at that age, many parents choose to send in a packed lunch.

The vegetarian option at DS school is always dreadful and lacking in nutrition. In fact the non veggie options are pretty crap too!

Original poster
pallaviprasadgv · 06/07/2019 11:59

Many thanks for all the replies 😀 am very happy to hear that am thinking straight. I did ask my daughter a few times if she still wants me to pack lunches for her or would she like to try the school lunch. She insisted on packed lunches. So I am definitely going to continue sending her as long as she changes her mind 😀 thanks again for your support 😀

OP posts:
ExplodingCarrots · 06/07/2019 12:08

I'm a dinner lady ....keep making her packed lunches Smile The Veggie options are not great where I live , not very well thought out and not very nutritious.

Lucked · 06/07/2019 12:12

If they issue the menu could you pick the odd meal for her to have for the experience but in general I think you should carry on.

We have free school meals for young children in Scotland and even with that there are children who take packed lunches every day. I would say 3-4 in the class of 20 in my DDs class.

Ceara · 06/07/2019 12:13

DS is veggie and just finishing Reception. He's taken packed lunches all year. He made the fair point that non-veggie children have at least three choices each day, they're not expected to like every dish on the menu; but most days there is only one veggie option so it's like it or lump it. He's not felt left out through taking a packed lunch and we do look at the menu together each term so he knows he can opt in if he wants to.

RicStar · 06/07/2019 12:20

It would be very strongly discouraged at DC school. No one in reception or ks1 has packed lunch. I feel they would probably ask you either try school lunches or take her home for lunchtime. Lots of veggie children though.

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