With my son starting kindergarten soon, I’m already considering how to tackle the cafeteria food situation. Reflecting on my own experiences in public school during the ’80s, I recall being strictly prohibited from purchasing school lunches. My mother, concerned about my many allergies, believed it was nearly impossible to find anything on the menu that was safe. Plus, she thought the food was both unhealthy and unappetizing.
Fast forward to today, and a glance at our district’s school lunch menu reveals little has changed: in just one week, the options include fried burgers, crispy chicken, and fried cheese sticks. Chocolate milk is available every day, sweet enough to pass as dessert. What really bothers me isn’t just the excessive salt, sugar, or fat; it’s the institutional vibe of these meals. I understand that preparing tasty, healthy meals on a budget for a large number of kids is a daunting challenge. So, if my son can choose between school lunches (which I suspect are not much tastier than hospital food) and a packed lunch, shouldn’t I always steer him towards the home-cooked option?
Actually, I’m leaning towards letting him try the school food, and here’s why: my own restrictions on school lunches made them incredibly enticing. The scent of grilled cheese and tomato soup wafting through the hallways haunted me. There was also a dish called American Chop Suey—a mix of elbow macaroni, beef, and tomato sauce—that still lingers in my memory. My food limitations drove me to extremes; I once snuck a box of Twinkies (forbidden due to allergies) and ended up eating 17 in one sitting, landing myself in the hospital. I might just be the only person who daydreams about those lunches from three decades ago.
While I find the current school lunches unappetizing, it’s essential to remember that it’s just my opinion. Recently, my son devoured a questionable hamburger and soggy fries from a sketchy diner, proclaiming it the best meal ever! I want to broaden his palate so he understands what “good” food means, but I also recognize that his tastes will develop on their own. Trying to shield him from certain foods by labeling them “gross” could backfire, making them even more appealing.
I’ve been following the feeding philosophy of Ellyn Satter, which emphasizes a “division of responsibility”—parents choose what to serve, and children determine how much to eat. I could easily argue that I decide what goes into his packed lunch while he decides whether he wants it. However, I suspect that completely denying him school lunches will create a forbidden allure, much like it did for me. Satter even suggests occasionally letting kids enjoy a plate piled high with treats like Oreos, allowing them to indulge without commentary. This self-regulation can help children learn to manage their own choices.
So, I’ve decided we’ll review the school menu together and pick a couple of days each week for him to buy lunch instead of bringing one from home. It’s a small step towards navigating a larger world filled with tempting, and sometimes unhealthy, options. I appreciate Satter’s approach because it doesn’t require rejecting the culture; instead, it equips kids to handle the myriad choices they’ll encounter as adults. They’ll eventually face vending machines, fast food, and questionable hotel breakfasts, and I hope they can enjoy a generally healthy diet—home-cooked meals and plenty of vegetables—while also having the flexibility to indulge occasionally without guilt.
Who knows, my son might find the school lunches surprisingly tasty. After all, schools now offer more nutritious items like kale salad and ginger-sesame coleslaw compared to my childhood. Just one thing is missing from the menu: American Chop Suey.
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Summary
In light of my own restrictive childhood experiences with school lunches, I’m choosing to let my son experience the cafeteria meals. I believe this approach helps him navigate the enticing yet sometimes unhealthy food options in the world. By allowing him to choose a few days each week to eat school lunches, I aim to foster a healthy relationship with food while ensuring he learns to make balanced choices as he grows.
Keyphrase: Allowing my child to try school lunches
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