Help! My Child is Not Eating at School

As the school year kicks off, the thoughts of parents and caregivers across the country turn to the logistics of packing a nutritious lunchbox.

We’ve all laughed about the apple that goes on an excursion to school each day, only to return to the fruit bowl in the afternoon. I’ve even seen amusing Instagram reels that make light of this phenomenon.

But what if the entire contents of the lunchbox seem to return home regularly?

It can be really worrying to know that your child is not eating very much at school. That worry can all too easily turn into interrogating your child about why the food hasn’t been eaten, pressuring and pleading with them to eat more, and negotiating about what foods go into the lunchbox. Stress and frustration also build, to do with the time and financial cost of preparing food, only to see it uneaten at the end of the day.

While food choices and taste preferences are often the first factors we consider, it may be helpful to dig deeper into the other potential reasons behind your child’s low intake during school hours.

Difficulty with Transitions

The transition from the classroom or structured learning environment to the more free-flowing outdoors or lunchtime setting can feel jarring for some children. They may have trouble shifting gears, which can impact their ability to focus on the task of eating.

Time Pressures

School lunchtime requires time-management skills. The children may have only a short window to eat before they are supposed to pack away their lunchboxes, and this may feel too rushed for some. For others, the urge to get out there and play can be prioritised over eating, especially if their peers are ready and raring to go.

Discomfort with the Eating Environment

Sometimes, it’s not the food but the surrounding environment that’s the issue. The noise level in the playground or lunch area can be distracting, leading kids to feel unsettled and less inclined to eat. It might be the discomfort of sitting on the ground or in a non-ideal position, which can also affect how well a child eats. If your child is not comfortable in their lunch environment, they may struggle to focus on their meal.

Sensory Factors That Aren’t Present at Home

The sensory experience of lunchtime at school can differ greatly from home, even if the same foods are being provided. Smells from the lunchbox or cooler bag, the feel of condensation on the outside of a yoghurt tub, and the impact of heat after a morning of hanging off a hook on the verandah, can all impact a child’s appetite.

Organisation Skills

Some children might struggle with organising their food—remembering what to take out of the bag, opening packaging, or remembering to zip up their cooler bag. These small frustrations can build up, making lunchtime a challenging experience. A child who has been frequently reprimanded for losing the lid from their ‘crunch & sip’ box might stop wanting to get it out of their bag in the first place.

The Cleanup

For kids who are sensitive to sticky hands or the need to clean up after eating, this part of the process can feel overwhelming, and they may decide it’s not worth the effort to eat at all.

So, What Can You Do?

If you suspect that some of these factors might be playing a role in your child’s low intake, there are a number of strategies you can try. These will, of course, be unique to each child.

Some ideas include:

• Communicating with the school

• Working to accommodate sensory challenges and preferences

• Reducing the choices and decisions your child has to make at mealtime

• Building skills in organising time and belongings

• Maximising before- and after-school nutrition

The solution will often involve adjusting our own expectations to meet the child where they are.

Struggling with your child’s eating habits at school?

If any of these challenges resonate with you, it might be time to talk to a dietitian. I can help you find solutions tailored to your child’s needs. Book a dietitian consultation at The Conscious Health Clinic today to get started!