New School Year, Same Lunch Every Day

The new school year is here – new shoes, new teachers, new pencil case… and maybe, the exact same lunchbox as last year. Every. Single. Day.

If your young person needs to bring the same lunch to school every single day, you’re not alone. But, shouldn’t kids be encouraged to try new things? Shouldn’t lunchboxes be full of surprises? Well, for many young people, particularly neurodivergent learners, having the same lunch every day helps create the predictability they need to get through each, busy school day. It’s about having an accommodation that makes school life more manageable.

Image from Canva, by pixelshot

You might also be interested in my co-authored book about an Autistic young person and their same food ‘Gabby’s Glimmers’ and my other food blogs such as ‘Context Eating: Why We Prefer Specific Foods in Specific Situations‘, ‘Why We Need Low Pressure Food Opportunities‘ and ‘How to Get Them to Eat: Rethinking Some Traditional Parenting Strategies‘

Why the Same Lunch Helps

School can be overwhelming. Think about it: the sensory demands are everywhere – bells ringing, chatter in the corridors, the scrape of chairs, fluorescent lights, the unpredictable peers. Add in the social dynamics of lunchtime and the learning demands of the classroom, and it’s easy to see why some young people reach for predictability wherever they can find it.

In the middle of all that, food can become a grounding point. Eating the same lunch every day gives your young person:

• Consistency in a setting where so much feels unpredictable.
• Control when other parts of the school day are out of their hands.
• Comfort through known textures, smells, tastes, and routines.

A Helpful Way to Understand It

Luke Beardon, an autism researcher, talks about something called global stability (2020). This is the idea that young people often look for ways to create predictability across their whole life. For some, food is part of that. Eating the same food, prepared the same way, in the same order, provides stability when the rest of the day feels like a lot to handle.

This is why school isn’t always the best place to introduce new foods. For many, trying something different needs to happen in a calmer, safer space, like home. Somewhere we can create a supportive environment and the pressure is low.

What Parents Can Do

• See it as an accommodation: That predictable lunch is what helps your young person access school life.
• Educate staff: If teachers or staff question it, you can explain that this routine is supporting your young person’s wellbeing.
• Take the pressure off: Remember, variety can come in other parts of life. 
• Think about the environment too: Connect with school staff to see what adjustments can be made to help your young person feel more comfortable or even a quieter place to eat. 

Exploring New Foods (Outside of School)

If you’d like to support your young person in broadening the foods they feel comfortable with, again thinking outside of the school setting might be a place to start. We can think about exploration in spaces where your young person feels calm and safe.

That might look like:

• At home, where they can be out of their uniform, relaxed, and in control of their surroundings.
• With a comfort item nearby that might be a tablet, headphones with music, or favourite plushie.
• In a familiar and enjoyable setting, like their favourite playground or a trusted relative’s home.

The key is to keep things low-pressure. Support them explore new foods when there’s time, when their energy is steady, and when they have comforting supports around them. 

Final Thought

So if you’re packing the same sandwich and snack every day this year, that’s okay. For your young person, that lunch might be the thing that helps them get through the day feeling more settled and ready to learn. And if they’re ready, those food explorations can happen gently outside of school, in the safe and comforting spaces that work best for them.

Thank you for learning about the community,

Laura Hellfeld

RN, MSN, PHN, CNL

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalised support and care tailored to your specific needs.

Resources & Signposting

• Beardon, L. (2020). Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Children: A Guide for Autistic Wellbeing. London, United Kingdom: Sheldon Press
• Gabby’s Glimmers: An Affirming Story of an Autistic Child and their Favourite Food
• Context Eating: Why We Prefer Specific Foods in Specific Situations, Blog
• More on Context Eating: Understanding Food Preferences Without Pushing for Change, Blog
• Why We Need Low Pressure Food Opportunities, Blog
• How to Get Them to Eat: Rethinking Some Traditional Parenting Strategies, Blog