With my son set to start kindergarten soon, I’m already contemplating how to approach school cafeteria meals. Growing up in public school during the ’80s, I was strictly prohibited from partaking in school lunches. My mother, overwhelmed by my numerous allergies, believed it was nearly impossible to find anything safe for me to eat. Additionally, she considered those lunches to be both unhealthy and unappetizing.
A glance at our district’s current lunch menu suggests little has changed over the years: one week features options like fried burgers, fried chicken, and fried cheese. Chocolate milk, sweet enough to be dessert, is available every day. However, it’s not the high levels of salt, sugar, or fats that concern me, but rather the sterile, institutional nature of these meals. I recognize that creating appealing, nutritious meals within budget constraints is challenging for schools. Still, if my son has the choice between cafeteria food—which I suspect is no tastier than that served in hospitals—shouldn’t I encourage him to opt for a home-packed lunch?
Actually, I’m leaning towards the opposite view, and here’s my reasoning: Being denied school lunches in my youth only made them more enticing. The aroma of grilled cheese and tomato soup wafting through the hallways was a weekly torment. I still reminisce about a dish called American Chop Suey—a mix of elbow macaroni, ground beef, and tomato sauce—that I occasionally recreate to use up leftovers. My food restrictions drove me to extremes; I once consumed 17 forbidden Twinkies and ended up in the hospital. I might just be the only person who daydreams about the lunches I never had 30 years ago.
While I find the school lunches unappealing, the reality is that my opinion isn’t universal. My son recently devoured a mediocre hamburger and soggy fries from a questionable diner, declaring it the best meal he’d ever tasted. I want to cultivate his taste buds so he can discern what constitutes “good” food, but his palate is evolving at its own speed. It’s unrealistic to shield him from the broader cultural influences while he is learning. Labeling certain foods as “disgusting” will only make them more intriguing.
I’ve been following the guidance of nutrition expert Ellyn Satter, who advocates for a “division of responsibility” in feeding. This means that while I determine what to serve, he decides how much to eat. I could justifiably claim to control the contents of his packed lunch, leaving him the choice to eat it or not. However, completely restricting him from school lunches might backfire, similar to my experience, turning them into a forbidden treasure. For instance, Satter suggests occasionally allowing kids to indulge in treats like Oreos without restrictions. This self-regulation is crucial for their learning process.
I believe a similar approach can be effective for school lunches: we’ll review the menu and select a couple of days each week when he can opt for the cafeteria meal rather than a packed lunch. This decision reflects a larger life lesson, as school lunches serve as an introduction to navigating a world filled with temptations that may not always be healthy or even appetizing. Adopting Satter’s philosophy means we don’t have to reject every aspect of the culture—rather, he learns to manage the multitude of choices that will come his way. As he matures, he’ll face vending machines, fast-food outlets, and lackluster hotel breakfast options. We hope to instill in him a diet rich in home-cooked meals and fresh vegetables while also allowing him the freedom to enjoy the occasional stale yet tasty pastry at an event.
Perhaps he’ll find school lunches delightful rather than disgusting. After all, schools today offer more nutritious options, such as kale salad and ginger-sesame coleslaw, unlike the offerings of my childhood. Yet, one dish remains conspicuously absent: American Chop Suey.
In summary, allowing children to experience school lunches can help them navigate food choices and develop a balanced relationship with food as they grow. By implementing a thoughtful approach, we can ensure they appreciate both nutritious meals and the occasional indulgence.