Lunchbox shame & shaming, picky eaters

Many parents who have a picky eater feel uncomfortable about what goes into the lunchbox. Some are even uncomfortable detailing to me what they put in there. They do not need anyone to criticize what is happening as they feel enough guilt/stress/worry themselves.

Recently there have been a series of media articles with parents criticised about what goes into the lunchbox. I could jump on my soapbox and rage about this for hours, but that’s not productive!

What I will say is to think of the lunchbox like an iceberg. It gives you only a very small glimpse into what is happening for that child and that family.

Instead of raging I would love to discuss the lunchbox of a picky eater and pull out some key points to bear in mind and some advice as to what may be helpful.

Suggestions for a picky eaters lunchbox?

1. Eating. Firstly, are they eating? I have many families who have a child who struggles to eat at all when away from home. Some children have never eaten at kindy/school.

Getting used to eating regularly is the number one priority. Our body is routine and habit driven so unfortunately when we are not used to eating, we are less likely to eat.

Often we even stop getting hunger cues when we consistently don’t eat.