With the school year starting, many households are having to get back into a routine of packing school lunches. But for families with kids who are more selective eaters, lunches can be a source of stress. Here are a few tips for picky eaters to get you off to a more positive start.

Talk with your child about lunch options over the weekend so you’re heading into the week with a plan.
Recognize that, especially at the beginning of the school year, anxiety can be high, so this isn’t the time to push your kids out of their comfort zone by trying new foods.
If your child is one whose taste preferences fluctuate significantly from day to day, pack an assortment of items for them to choose from.
Think outside the box and be open to the idea that lunch might look different than what you think of as typical, and that’s okay. There are many ways to get nutrients in.
Advocate for your child, by asking for accommodations from school or adding a clinician to work with your child.
- If needed, your child can work with a dietitian or therapist to manage eating related anxieties.
- Your child’s clinician can support your child with food exposures in a supported session environment.
- You can also ask your child’s school counselor about the need for a supported lunch, meeting with their dietitian virtual during their lunch time. Some schools currently offer this option from their school counselors office.

In addition to the above tips, talk to your child about whether there are other things that would make it easier for them to eat. Lunchrooms can be overstimulating for many kids, so going in with a plan in place can help ease some of the distress or anxiety that might arise. Some talking points might include:

Who else do they know in their lunch period?
Reaching out to friends ahead of time to talk about sitting together.
Requesting a quieter place to eat if the cafeteria is too loud.
What to do if they don’t see anyone they know.

The start of school is always an adjustment, but a little planning can make navigating the transition out of summer a little less stressful. If you’re needing more specific guidance or ideas, our dietitians are available for further support. The dietitians at Nutrition Braved specialize in disordered eating, picky eating concerns, ARFID, eating disorders, emotional eating and chronic dieting. If you are unsure if seeing a dietitian is right for you or your child, we offer a free 15 minute discovery call to help see if this is the right fit for you. Contact us today to schedule your discovery call.