Why is my son not eating his lunch at school?

Question

Everyday I pack him his lunch for school. Of course I alternate from bologna to ham, and sometimes give him lunch money if he does not want another sandwich. Along with his lunch, I pack him a fruit and another snack like cookies or chips. I always make sure he eats before he goes to school. He is ADHD, so I know that his medication would will give him loss of appetite. This week, he has been going to the nurses office after lunch complaining of a headache, and he has not eaten lunch. This makes me furious becuase I know I make him lunch every morning, and it makes me confused because he lied about not having any food. He already is a picky eater- does not like veggies, or chicken. I have a hard time feeding him. He loves any pasta, mac & cheese, Alfredo sauce, grilled cheese, and burgers, and certain kinds of chicken nuggets. I don't understand what compels him to tell the school that he has no food for lunch. The school calls my husband & I to question us. Why is he doing this?

Answer 1

maybe he doesn't like it

:> peace
.

Answer 2

How old is he/what grade is he in?

I've got ADD, so yeah, the medz definitely affect your appetite. By high school, I had quit eating lunch period. This just may be his personal eating habits emerging. Personally, I've never been a picky eater, so no insight on that.

Make sure no one is taking his lunch, or even kids making fun of it. Bullies, talk to the cafeteria moderator; teasing, start buying him Lunchables.

Maybe he is just sick of sandwiches. Get him a Thermos and send some pasta with him.

Try to get him eating a larger variety of food at home. My mom always made me try a bite of everything, and made clear that if I didn't like it I didn't have to eat any more, but she was firm in trying everything once. It made sure I was never picky.

Talk with him (calmly, no accusing, no nagging, no negative at all) and find out what is bothering him. Because something clearly is.

Answer 3

Is his medication Concerta? My son used to take that and he would have the same symptoms. I had his medication changed to a lower does that helped some, then I had it changed to Straterra which worked alot better. I suggest you go back to your doctor and discuss other medication options. It's also possible that with him being ADHD that he is being picked on or bullied and someone is taking his lunch, I would sit him down and tell him he won't get into trouble for telling you what ever is making him tell the school those things. Kids will lie rather than tell on other kids to keep from having further trouble in the hall ways. I hope you figure out what is going on and can help your son!

Answer 4

I can only suggest to try a new lunch for him. If he likes his pasta, and the school has microwaves, try giving him a frozen pasta meal such as Michelina's or Stouffers.

Or cook Mac & Cheese for him, and keep it in a thermal container. Sandwiches can get very boring, very fast for kids.

Schneider's Lunchables are good for a change, too. Expensive, yes, but if it gets him into the habit of eating, then it's worth it, right?

Answer 5

It could be he is wanting attention. Be it good or bad, he is in need of attention. If you are able to, perhaps try to attend lunch with him at school, that way you can ensure he is eating. Feed him what it is he likes, with in reason, and he should develop better eating habits. Is it possible the school could look after him to make sure he eats? Some types of meds work better when taken with food. Whatever the outcome-best of luck to you.

Answer 6

WOW! How old is your son? I would sit him down and have a little talk about why he's not telling the truth about him bringing his lunch to school. Next ask him why he is not eating it. As for the headache that's from not eating. I'm sure he can enlighten you more than we can. It could be anything from kids teasing to a real medical problem.

Answer 7

My son is contained in the 1st grade and he comes living house extraordinarily much every day with the comparable lunch that I packed contained in the morning MINUS the drink(s). After alternating various lunch mixtures that he picked out, I asked him why, and that's what he suggested, " I even have greater recess time." i've got been worried for awhile, and now i visit ensure why my baby's lunch-time is integrated into the ever-so -standard option, "recess". till issues replace, i attempt to p.c.. issues that are extremely healthful that don't require to lots time to consume like gogurt, applesauce, yogurt smoothies, jello and pudding snacks, and so on. of course you may desire to throw in clean fruit and a string cheese, so which you do no longer seem undesirable,even nonetheless it oftentimes comes living house warm and yucky and a few chips or a cookie that come returned smashed. yet another element i've got observed with my son is that he fills up on his drinks that pass down without postpone. stable success!!!

Answer 8

The ADHD is a complicated disorder which can involve emotional and attention seeking elements. So perhaps that is why. Also he would be distracted easily so maybe if he could eat his lunch away from the other kids, or start a little earlier it may help...;

Answer 9

He's probably too overwhelmed with the atmosphere at lunch. Too much going on to remember to eat. My son picks the lunches he wants to eat in advance from the lunch menu calendar. On the days he doesn't want to eat the school lunch, we pack him a lunchable ( more fun than a brown sack). It seems to work very well. In any case, I don't think your boy will starve himself. Don't worry too much about it. Good luck.

Answer 10

I'm not sure what grade he's in, high school, middle-schhol, but it could be that a lot of kids think it's 'not cool' to eat.
It makes it worse when a lot of other kids don't eat, so it makes him not want to eat either.
Once in a while i won't eat my lunch at my high school, cuz no one else has a lunch, then i feel all weird eating.

Answer 11

Have you asked him what is going on at school if anything? The best thing that you could do is to go to school at lunch without telling him and checkin with the school and then try to observe and see if anything is going on in the lunchroom. Also, ask the teacher if she has noticed any problem with him between anyone and him.
Has his grades dropped?
Also see if the doctor can change his meds.

Talk to him as much as you can about it and he may spill.