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I've just received the lunch and snack menu for DS's new preschool and I know he won't eat any of it. Bollocks.

84 replies

Mrsfrumble · 30/07/2014 18:43

He's 3.8 and very fussy. He would spit out most vegetables even as a baby. If I'm honest I've sort of given up trying to broaden his diet because so much food was being wasted. He eats a lot of sandwiches and pasta, and I blend veggies into tomato sauce for pizza topping and pasta sauce. He will eat meat and some fruit, and I think I manage to get a reasonably balanced diet into him; I certainly think things could be worse when I see some of the threads on here by posters despairing of their picky eaters.

I knew there would be a potential problem when he started preschool, but I was hoping peer pressure would help a bit. He went to childminder between the age of 12 months and 2 and would eat most things there because the other children were eating (and because the childminder was some kind of Mary Poppinsesque miracle worker. I miss her!).

The preschool is Montessori and markets itself as Eco-friendly so I knew it would be a bit lentil-weavery, but having just got the handbook through in an email I'm taken aback by the menu. It's gluten-free and vegetarian, and pretty much consists of quinoa and steamed veggies. No packed lunches allowed. DS is going to starve! He's due to be there 3 days a week from 8.30-3.

I feel like a crap parent because I he doesn't eat these things. I knew his diet wasn't brilliant but thought we were doing okay and that his tastes would broaden as he got older (I was an exceptionally fussy child but now eat almost anything). What am I going to do?

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CultureSucksDownWords · 30/07/2014 21:53

I'm a vegetarian, but I would be a little concerned if the nursery only served vegan food. It's really hard to provide a balanced vegan diet for children, and I don't think I'd be happy with this enforced restriction.

tobysmum77 · 30/07/2014 21:53

my dds aren't particularly fussy but I can imagine the reaction when faced with quinoa and buckwheat. Sorry the menu sounds bonkers.

MrsSchadenfreude · 30/07/2014 21:57

DD2 goes to a vegetarian school and the food they serve up is just fabulous. Quinoa and steamed veg sounds vile and shows a spectacular lack of imagination. What's wrong with a nice mild veg curry, cooked in coconut milk, with rice? A mushroom quiche and salad? Veggie sausages, beans and jacket potato?

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amyhamster · 30/07/2014 21:58

Do you mean they dont serve toast & sandwiches ?
What is for lunch ?

MrsSchadenfreude · 30/07/2014 21:58

Buckwheat is utterly vile and smells like disinfectant. I'd be surprised if they got the kids to eat it.

amyhamster · 30/07/2014 21:59

When they get to big school they'll turn their noses up at fish fingers beans & waffles

grocklebox · 30/07/2014 22:05

Give it a week and they will be serving pasta with cheese sauce. Give it a month and it will be ham sandwiches.

CharlieSierra · 30/07/2014 22:09

It's really hard to provide a balanced vegan diet for children

They aren't trying to do that, they are providing lunch, essentially home made vegetable soup with added grains is the example. It's just soup.

Thurlow · 30/07/2014 22:11

Are they actually managing to get the kids to eat this every day?

I (touch wood) have a pretty non-fussy toddler - but she'd kick up a fuss at buckwheat and barley soup.

But then again, if that's what's served, I guess they'll all give in at some point...

ouryve · 30/07/2014 22:21

Big breakfast - what you'd serve for lunch if needs be - try to get some protein in there.

Snack when you pick up from nursery.

But the menu does sound pretty fart-tastic. Most adults would probably struggle.

RitaConnors · 30/07/2014 22:28

Don't tell him he might not like it before he's even tried. I've got a friend who says this to her dc about nearly everything. A coconut biscuit, a green apple, wild rice, pizza where you can see green herbs.

Imagine being at a restaurant and they bring you something and say "just to let you know, we do t think you will like this"

ExitPursuedByAKoalaBear · 30/07/2014 22:31

Ah olives.

Heels99 · 30/07/2014 22:32

Is there any protein in these meals? Veg and quinoa isn't a healthy diet for growing toddlers

CafeAuLaitMerci · 30/07/2014 22:33

Just let him, & them, get on with it. Either he'll learn, they'll learn or there'll be some kind of compromise :)

Don't say a word - he isn't going to starve if he eats sod all for a few hours and if he's grumpy that's their problem issue to resolve. If he's hungry enough he'll eat it - especially if you don't pick him up laden with snacks you know he'll love. I would take a couple of things you know he will eat, but not his 'favourites' (ie nothing to 'hang out' for).

Mrsfrumble · 30/07/2014 22:35

Okay, I've looked at the menu again. They don't actually serve barley and buckwheat soup. Here's what they do serve:
Monday lunch - quinoa & steamed veggies, snacks - fruit & gluten-free cereal, smoothie.
Tuesday lunch - buckwheat, hard-boiled eggs, sweet peas & carrots, snacks - raw veggies w. dip, granola.
Wednesday lunch - barley & veggie soup, snacks - oats, coconut milk & honey, fruit.
Thursday lunch - brown rice w. Steamed broccoli & egg quiche, snacks - fruit & cheese, raw veggies w. dip.
Friday lunch - soup w. coconut milk, brown rice, veggies & beans, snacks - hard boiled egg, carrots, home-baked gluten-free treats w. fruit.

Apparently birthday cakes are allowed, but must be homemade and gluten and dairy free.

I don't remember being told about the gluten-free thing before now. Is it vegan if they serve eggs? Excuse my ignorance Blush

OP posts:
ExitPursuedByAKoalaBear · 30/07/2014 22:38

And you chose this nursery because .....

I am veggie but I would baulk at that lot.

ExitPursuedByAKoalaBear · 30/07/2014 22:38

Dairy free cakes are shit.

CultureSucksDownWords · 30/07/2014 22:38

No it's not vegan to serve eggs and cheese...

SevenZarkSeven · 30/07/2014 22:39

Not vegan if they serve eggs, no.

Does it say why?

I don't know about nutrition in depth but that looks like a duet that would meet an adults needs, is it ok for a toddler? Is there enough fat in there? Anyone have more of an idea?

SevenZarkSeven · 30/07/2014 22:41

Why does the cake need to be dairy free? They have cheese on the menu. Are the children given milk to drink?

Bizarre.

SolomanDaisy · 30/07/2014 22:43

It's not vegan, it's vegetarian. Cheese and eggs are on the menu. Quinoa is a great source of protein and I'd guess most children who eat rice or couscous would eat it (my DS will only eat it baked into muffins). Barley and veg soup is delicious, though less fun without bread. Plain buckwheat is bizarre. I think overall it's ok as a menu, though they're making life unnecessarily difficult for themselves.

Picturesinthefirelight · 30/07/2014 22:45

Eurgh!

And do they realise stuff like granola is stuffed full of sugar

Children need fat, protein & dairy (or dairy equivalent)

Mrsfrumble · 30/07/2014 22:46

ExitPursued I didn't know about the menu until today! We chose it because it's local (I don't drive) and it was the only place that would take him part-time (we're in the US not UK and it seems things work differently here). I'm a SAHM so didn't want him to go full-time yet, I just want him to spend some time with other children.

I quite like the ethos (other than the food); there's a garden for the children to dig in and plant seeds, lots of nature walks planned and an emphasis on outdoor play. We're returning to London in a couple of years where he'll be lucky if his school has more than a concrete playground!

OP posts:
SevenZarkSeven · 30/07/2014 22:46

Yes I see a lot of sugar and not much fat.

Op I would love to hear the reason they give for going gluten free.

ExitPursuedByAKoalaBear · 30/07/2014 22:47

If he is only part time let him try their lunch then feed him when you get home.

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