School lunches are made with nutritional balance in mind, and parents are very grateful for them. However, there are some children who have a hard time eating their school lunches. Let’s find out why children can’t eat their school lunches and think about what we can do to help them eat at least a little.
Children not being able to eat school lunches is not just being selfish
Why are there children who cannot eat school lunches? Let’s take a look at the reasons.
There are many foods I dislike
In this case, there are many foods that a child dislikes, and few foods that they can eat in the first place . If a child has something they dislike in their school lunch, they will not want to eat it.
In addition, they may not be able to eat the same food because of the seasoning that they dislike.
The amount of food is large
Sometimes the portions of school lunches are so large that some children are unable to finish them . Some children are overwhelmed by the amount of food served and lose their appetite.
Eating slowly
This is a case where a child is naturally slow at eating and is unable to finish their school lunch in time . Many elementary schools have a 15-20 minute school lunch time, and if they don’t hurry, they often won’t be able to finish their meal in time. Some children don’t like being rushed and don’t want to eat their school lunch.
There is an emotional rejection
Children may not be able to eat school lunches for sensory reasons , such as finding the grainy texture of strawberries disgusting, disliking the slimy inside of tomatoes, or feeling pain from the batter on fried foods touching their mouth . They may also feel uncomfortable with the shape or color of the food being different from what they usually eat at home, or with a different flavor.
Children have more sensitive senses in their mouths than adults, so it is often difficult for people around them to understand that they cannot eat something for that reason, and they are often surprised.
I can’t eat well
Some children have difficulty eating because their chewing and swallowing functions are underdeveloped
. For example, they may not be able to swallow dry bread properly, or they may not be able to chew squid or octopus. Depending on the school age, they may have difficulty eating because they are losing their baby teeth, and may come to dislike school lunches because they do not have front or back teeth.
Feeling pressured or stressed
Some children feel pressured to finish all their meals, or become anxious when they remember a time when they choked on food
. In addition, eating itself can be stressful for some children because they have been warned or forced not to eat .
This is how children feel when they can’t eat school lunches
When a child doesn’t eat their school lunch, parents tend to think that they want them to eat properly for their health and that they want them to have the courage to try things they don’t like.
I get anxious when lunch time approaches
Children who dislike school lunches become increasingly anxious as lunch time approaches . They may feel anxious, thinking, “Maybe I won’t be able to eat again,” or “What should I do when everyone else is eating,” and become restless even before lunch begins.
Feelings of inferiority and loneliness
In many cases, children understand that they must eat their school lunch at a set time. As a result, they may feel inferior if they cannot eat . They may also feel lonely, thinking that they are the only one who cannot eat while other children seem to be enjoying their meals.
I’m worried that I’ll be scolded.
If children are told that it is good to eat a lot at school lunches, they will start to feel that not eating is bad. They will think, “I’m doing something wrong because I can’t eat,” and worry that they will be scolded . In fact, they may be scolded by their teachers, so lunchtime becomes a pain for them, and they fall into a vicious cycle of not being able to eat even more.
What can you do to help your child eat school lunches?
Let’s think about what we can do to help our children eat school lunches.
Understand why you can’t eat
First of all, it is important to correctly understand why your child cannot eat school lunches . It is easy to think that if your child does not eat school lunches, they are just being selfish, but as mentioned above, there are actually many reasons for this. Depending on the reason, you may be able to deal with it effectively or find ways to help them eat a little at a time.
Don’t force-feed
Avoid scolding your child and forcing them to eat by saying, “You have to eat .” This may leave a bad memory of being “forced to eat” in your child’s mind, and they may become reluctant to eat the food or ingredients, or even dislike school lunches. This may also lead to negative feelings toward the parents.
If your child’s oral function is not yet fully developed, there is a risk of aspiration. Please do not force your child to eat.
Communicating the meaning and joy of food
Explain to them that meals are necessary for physical development, and that enjoying meals together leads to good mental and physical health. It is a good idea to help children gradually understand the importance of meals and to provide nutrition education that teaches them the joy of eating.
Try to find new ways to cook ingredients you don’t like
One way to reduce the number of foods you dislike is to try different cooking methods at home . Try grilling foods that you can’t eat raw, or try changing the seasoning or shape of the food, and gradually reduce the number of foods you dislike.
Practice eating in time
If your child dislikes school lunches because they cannot finish their meal within the allotted time, why not try practicing at home by setting a time limit ? By repeatedly practicing finishing your meal within 15 to 20 minutes, you will gradually come to understand the order in which to eat and the appropriate amount of food to be served.
Consult with the school
In many cases, school teachers are used to dealing with children who don’t like school lunches. It is recommended that you don’t worry about it alone and go ahead and consult with your homeroom teacher . They will be considerate and reduce the amount of food served, or put children who don’t like school lunches in groups to create an environment where they can eat without worry. If you
have a teacher you can trust, not only at school but also in extracurricular activities, be sure to consult with them. At Gakken Classroom, experienced teachers support your child’s growth in the long term. If you have any concerns about raising your child, please feel free to consult with a Gakken teacher.
