Many schools are responsible for feeding children all over the world. While some schools push healthy alternatives, many children have to pay for lunch from schools.
Many schools are responsible for feeding children all over the world. While some schools push healthy alternatives, many children have to pay for lunch from schools.
Some parents and guardians try their best, but, cannot provide the necessary choices to make lunches a "healthy" meal.
You might have seen the news story about one parent who was caught sending her child to school with a Red Bull can in their lunch.
There was also the report of another parent who sent their child to school with a leftover Happy Meal from McDonald's — which can be bad for a child's health.
Schools have every right to monitor some of those high-fat, high-caffeine and overly sugary foods.
While making sure that kids aren't eating straight sugar and sodium is important, it's also important not to single kids out.
The mom, Laura Lee, commented sharing a photo of the lunch she had packed for her son, which was colorful and full of veggies.
The mom said:
"I sent my 2.5 yr old son to school with this and the cookies got sent home because they’re unhealthy - there was 3 MINI Cookies."
There are veggies, fruit, cheese, crackers, and sandwiches. The three mini cookies are clearly not the end of the world— or a reason to send the entire lunch home.
Schools provide lunches that are hardly "nutritious" or healthy — mostly fried food and leftover from the day before.
Children who come from single-income homes often suffer the most.
One commenter said:
"Looks like you took time and effort to his lunch ‘fun’ and appealing. Absolute rubbish that he wasn’t allowed to get those small cookies. Everything in moderation surely."
"I would kick the F*** off big time! Food is taken off a child and made to be hungry rather than the child eating. Since when was that healthy."
"Amazing, when a child's free school lunch can have syrup sponge and custard for a pudding. Not complaining as my child does have free school meals at the moment and to be fair they seem ok and she is having lots of veg and fruit but if the free school meal children can have cake and custard for afters then why can't a packed lunch child (with a lovely lunch as above) have some cookies! Its not like its a chocolate bar. Seems to me the dinner ladies are thinking above the pay grade. I would be requesting a 'lunch date' with the headmaster asking him to provide a proper packed lunch as a way of example!"
"Your lunch would be a thing of inspiration here you would not believe what some of our kids take to school for their lunches you are a hero keep up the good work with your child as you can see you love him dearly."
"What right does a Teacher have to deny a child the food their Parent has provided ? Why does this teacher still have a job ? Child Abuse ! Home school your children if you can. This is deprivation and bullying."
"I work in a nursery and believe me, I have seen some terrible packed lunches in the past! This looks perfect to me! Some settings are quite militant with the healthy packed lunches, and it sounds like your sons setting is one of those places! Children need a bit of sugar in their diet! I’ve seen children who were quite badly behaved in the afternoons in particular, actually improve in their behaviour after being given something sugary after lunch. You’re lunchbox looks perfect to me!"
Providing lunches that have fresh fruits, veggies, and even healthier snacks can help contribute to a student's overall health.
No child should go hungry or be stuck eating food that is inedible because of budgeting or funding. Every child deserves a well-balanced meal.
Remember that not all families make the same income and students shouldn't have to suffer if they cannot afford certain things. Food is not a luxury.