A student eats their cookie before their sandwich
Instead of…
‍Giving them direction about which foods to eat.

“Eat your healthy food first and then you can have your ‘treat’ after.”
Consider…‍
Letting them decide how much and in what order they eat from what is available.
‍
‍Having non-food related conversations with students during mealtimes.

‍“When you’re done eating you can get ready to go outside.”

‍You could also choose to say nothing.
Here’s why…
When students are able to control the order they eat their food, it helps them develop a positive relationship with food and feel respected.

Commenting on foods packed in students’ lunches could lead them to question the parent/caregiver’s decision-making.
A student is eating their whole lunch in the first break
Instead of…
‍Commenting on how much they are eating.

“Are you sure you want to eat your whole lunch now? Won’t you be hungry later?”
A student eats their cookie before their sandwich
‍
Instead of…
‍Giving them direction about which foods to eat.

“Eat your healthy food first and then you can have your ‘treat’ after.”
Consider…‍
Letting them decide how much and in what order they eat from what is available.
‍
‍Having non-food related conversations with students during mealtimes.

‍“When you’re done eating you can get ready to go outside.”

‍You could also choose to say nothing.
Here’s why…
When students are able to control the order they eat their food, it helps them develop a positive relationship with food and feel respected.

Commenting on foods packed in students’ lunches could lead them to question the parent/caregiver’s decision-making.
A student is eating their whole lunch in the first break
‍
Instead of…
‍Commenting on how much they are eating.

“Are you sure you want to eat your whole lunch now? Won’t you be hungry later?”
A student eats their cookie before their sandwich
Instead of…
‍Giving them direction about which foods to eat.

“Eat your healthy food first and then you can have your ‘treat’ after.”
Consider…‍
Letting them decide how much and in what order they eat from what is available.
‍
‍Having non-food related conversations with students during mealtimes.

‍“When you’re done eating you can get ready to go outside.”

‍You could also choose to say nothing.
Here’s why…
When students are able to control the order they eat their food, it helps them develop a positive relationship with food and feel respected.

Commenting on foods packed in students’ lunches could lead them to question the parent/caregiver’s decision-making.
A student is eating their whole lunch in the first break
Instead of…
‍Commenting on how much they are eating.

“Are you sure you want to eat your whole lunch now? Won’t you be hungry later?”