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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to show you these pictures of Danish children's packed lunches?

339 replies

wallyfeatures · 26/01/2017 08:06

I've followed a few of the lunchbox threads and thought it might be of interest to mumsnet to see what is allowed and typically given to young children here in Denmark in schools and kindergardens. I am a member of a closed facebook group where Danish mothers share ideas on packed lunches. The photos below are a typical sample of what is given to children from 3+ years up. The food shown would be enough for lunch and a mid afternoon snack. Happy to answer questions about what is shown.

to show you these pictures of Danish children's packed lunches?
to show you these pictures of Danish children's packed lunches?
to show you these pictures of Danish children's packed lunches?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
16
Original poster
wallyfeatures · 26/01/2017 08:32

15 year old boy

to show you these pictures of Danish children's packed lunches?
OP posts:
ohtheholidays · 26/01/2017 08:33

Please do post some more Wallyfeatures I love seeing things like this.

The Banana pancakes I thought it was a huge cake,I did think it was quite large for a child's packed lunch Grin and I can't believe how much fruit they have,with things like the open sandwiches our the childrens packed lunches just kept on trolleys like they are here or are they kept somewhere chilled.

Mittensonastring · 26/01/2017 08:34

Real artistry comes in to Japanese school lunch boxes.

I am of Asian descent, DS gets a mix so today cold chilli noodle salad with veg and meat. Another day ham sandwiches and crisps. Depends which side of my heritage is feeling dominant that day Wink. Moderation in everything.

to show you these pictures of Danish children's packed lunches?
ohtheholidays · 26/01/2017 08:34

are not our sorry.

Stormwhale · 26/01/2017 08:34

I think we are heading in a similar direction now. When I was at school there was one boy who had vegetables in his packed lunch, and it was seen as weird. Now plenty of children have pieces of pepper, cucumber etc in their lunch. My dd is not at school yet, but every day at home she has a sandwich or tortilla wrap with meat/fish/hummus with raw veg sticks. Followed by fruit if she is still hungry. This is her normal and will be continued once she starts school.

SapphireBird · 26/01/2017 08:34

They are different, though.

Much bigger variety of fruit - a range of berries. No crisps or chocolate (I have never seen those in a Norwegian packed lunch) and a sandwich.

I'm personally not a fan of the liver paste, but it is very common and given in a small amount.

Here, the packed lunches tend to be sandwich, biscuit, crisps and a piece of fruit (if that).

Original poster
wallyfeatures · 26/01/2017 08:34

This is for a 14 year old who is in school between 8 and 3, then has an afterschool activity and so will not be home until late.

to show you these pictures of Danish children's packed lunches?
OP posts:
expatinscotland · 26/01/2017 08:35

That's nice, dear. Biscuit Star

Original poster
wallyfeatures · 26/01/2017 08:36

@Mittensonastring wow! They are so pretty. Maybe I should post them on the Danish site and shake things up a bit?!

OP posts:
Areyoufree · 26/01/2017 08:36

These are similar to the lunches I give my daughter, but with less salad (she loves salad). My son, on the other hand, will only eat beige carbs. Either way, am not sure what the point of the thread is...Agree with the poster who mentioned Japanese bento boxes. They are amazing!

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 26/01/2017 08:36

I'm going to hazard a guess that the sort of Danish person who takes a photo of their child's lunch to put on the internet is probably not 'typical' either - and will be choosing a good day not a bad one!

true- that reminds me of when I went to Scandi for a work trip and ended up having dinner in a Subway (bad times) surrounded by teenage Mums, snotty toddlers in buggies and inhaling their fags.

Strongmummy · 26/01/2017 08:37

This is such a smugfest!!!

Tidypidy · 26/01/2017 08:37

These are very useful for packed lunches. They were about £12 for 4 from Amazon. They're branded Amazon Basics.

to show you these pictures of Danish children's packed lunches?
datingbarb · 26/01/2017 08:38

All I'm seeing is choke hazards Confused

Original poster
wallyfeatures · 26/01/2017 08:38

@MargaretCavendish not trying to 'achieve' anything. Just though it might be of interest, and given the response it would appear that that is the case. I haven't expressed any opinions.

OP posts:
DonkeyOaty · 26/01/2017 08:39

Expat that made me laugh. Not heard that expression on here for many a long year.

AQuietMind · 26/01/2017 08:39

What is in the middle section for the 11yo girl? It looks like chocolate cake.

I'm not sure why I'm even reading this thread tbh, I no longer need to make packed lunches. Just being nosey I guess.

ohtheholidays · 26/01/2017 08:40

The 15 year old's lunch looks alot lower in calories than the younger childrens which I find surprising,but the 14 year olds Shock that must be costing the parents a small fortune,is it that kind of amount every single day?

TheHiphopopotamus · 26/01/2017 08:40

That's nice, dear

Grin

I'm not quite sure what the point of this thread is, tbh. As others have said, if you're taking photos of your food, you're only going to show the best bits.

Eolian · 26/01/2017 08:40

They love their salamis and sausages. But I think maybe it is balanced out by the rest of the diet

I don't think you can really 'balance out' processed meat. It has inherently harmful stuff in it, which is not counteracted by eating lots of salad and fruit.

I agree with previous posters - these aren't very interesting lunches and aren't really that different from what many kids in the UK would get. I admit to quite liking to look at the lovely and inventive Bento-style lunches commonly served in Japan, even though I rarely have time to do anything like that myself.

OptimisticSix · 26/01/2017 08:40

They don't look dissimilar to lunges here reallyou in terms of nutrition etc. Today DC aged 12 has a wholemeal sandwich with ham cheese and lettuce; a chopped up pepper and two oranges. He did have an apple but 5 year old DC whiney (that should have been his name) was moaning so was given the apple to shut him up Hmm

Original poster
wallyfeatures · 26/01/2017 08:41

@datingbarb they take a more relaxed approach to health and safety here. It makes life interesting sometimes.

OP posts:
Original poster
wallyfeatures · 26/01/2017 08:43

@TheHiphopopotamu yes, I agree that only the 'best' photos would be posted by the mums. However, I have seen many many lunchboxes in 'real' life that match these. I am not in the UK and so have no experience of what is in UK lunchboxes. But I have followed some of the lunchbox threads on here.

OP posts:
Original poster
wallyfeatures · 26/01/2017 08:44

@ohtheholidays no idea. But yes, it does look very expensive. I think from what the poster had written, that it was an unusual day in that her child was not coming straight home.

OP posts:
Stormwhale · 26/01/2017 08:45

I find it interesting op, I'm not sure why you have received snotty replies. I think it's a good idea to take ideas from cultures who provide healthy foods for their children. I do agree that these Danish lunchboxes seem a bit heavy on processed meats and salt, and also think there seems to be a bit too much fruit and not enough veg.

That much sugar may be fine for Danish children who are extremely active, but I think here that would be too much.