Terrible sack lunch advise

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Specializes in Coronary Care, School Nurse.

A kindergarten teacher has recently noticed that one of her students is bringing a sack lunch containing nothing but chips, cookies, snack cakes and similar junk food. She is keeping an eye on the student's lunches to see if it is happening all the time or just on occasion. Mom is working. Dad stays home or works nights. It is an odd family but seems functional.

Teacher has asked for my help in educating the parents. Does anyone have an short and sweet basic lunch guide that they use for this type of thing? I don't want to recreate the wheel. Thanks!

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Specializes in maternal child, public/community health.

mypyramid.gov has lots of great info that would be easy to adapt.

  • Make it simple: food groups and importance of including all in the lunch. Give a few examples.

  • Maybe encourage to eat a rainbow every day (foods with different colors- again could suggest lunch have 3 colors, etc) This could even be a basis for teaching some nutrition for kindergarteners.

  • could include ideas for busy families (make lunch for couple days on weekends, divide up items into baggies when you bring it home, etc.) Common sense but many people don't think about how to make it easier.

  • healthy lunch ideas on a budget (money may be a factor) Chips etc are expensive but many families think it is cheaper.

i would also wonder if the child is putting his own lunch together without supervision.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

Sounds like kiddo is packing his own lunch. I would call mom and/or dad and ask they supervise.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i agree - the kid is probably packing his own or making swaps to a pre packed lunch. Either way, i'll bet mom and dad don't know the lunches are turning into a junk fest

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