As a children’s occupational therapist, I often work with families, teachers and support staff to support children who face sensory eating challenges. For some children, lunchtime at school can be completely overwhelming due to the various sensory stimuli they encounter- from loud and busy canteens to a huge variety of smells from cooked food or packed lunches to lots of noise and chatter from fellow pupils and staff. However, with a few thoughtful adjustments, both parents and teachers can help create a more comfortable and supportive environment for children experiencing these challenges in school. Here are some practical tips to help your child navigate school lunches with greater ease and enjoyment.
Sensory eating challenges and fussy or picky eating can occur when a child is particularly sensitive to certain textures, smells, tastes, or even the look of food. This sensitivity can lead to fussy eaters, picky eating, anxiety around mealtimes, and difficulty eating in social settings like school. It is important to remember that these behaviours are not about being difficult or disobedient —they are genuine, very real responses to overwhelming sensory input.
Tips for Teachers and Support Staff: Creating a Calming Lunch Environment
1. Designate a Quiet Eating Space
If possible, create a designated area in the canteen or classroom where noise levels are
lower, and there is less foot traffic. This space can be especially helpful for children who are easily overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of a busy lunchroom. This space gives children the option of eating in a quieter area thus reducing sensory overload.
2. Use Visual Supports
Some children with sensory challenges benefit from visual schedules or picture-based food choices. This helps them know what to expect and can reduce anxiety. Having a visual cue of what’s in their lunchbox or on the menu in the canteen can also help them prepare for the meal.
3. Allow Time for Sensory Breaks
If a child becomes overstimulated during lunch or begins to feel overwhelmed or anxious, allow them to take a brief sensory break. This could be a few minutes in a quiet corner or doing a calming activity like deep breathing or stretching before resuming their meal.
4. Minimise Strong Smells
Strong food odours can be particularly challenging for sensory-sensitive children.
Encourage the use of fragrance-free cleaning products in the lunch area and, if possible,
keep pungent foods away from these children. Open windows to allow ventilation.
5. Monitor and Adjust Seating Arrangements
Seating a child with sensory challenges near friends can provide comfort, but it’s also
important to consider factors like noise and proximity to distractions (e.g., bins, loud
classmates, strong smells etc). Adjust seating as needed to create a more pleasant dining
experience. Give the child control over who they would like to sit close to at lunchtime.
6. Consider Sensory Toolkits
A sensory toolkit containing a couple of small fidgets and a weighted snake or lap pad can be beneficial during lunchtime for children who find the experience very stressful. Fidgeting can help distract and reduce anxiety whilst the introduction of weighted items can help to calm and organise.
7. Allow access to safe Foods
Most schools now have healthy eating policies where Children should only bring in fruit,
drink water and have healthy options for their lunch. However if a child has a very restricted diet this should be taken into consideration and access to their safe foods should be supported to ensure they are getting something to eat and drink.
Tips for Parents: Packing Lunches for Sensory-Sensitive Kids
1. Involve Your Child in Lunch Preparation
Let your child help pick and prepare their lunch. When children have a say in what they’re
eating, they feel more in control and are more likely to eat their meals. You can provide
options within a range you know they’re comfortable with, such as choosing between
different textures of bread or types of fruit. Allow your child to pick their own lunchbox and accessories to help create excitement around school lunch times.
2. Focus on Preferred Textures and Safe foods
Pay attention to the textures your child prefers. Some children might enjoy crunchy foods like crackers or apples, while others might prefer soft foods like yogurt or mashed potatoes. Pack lunches with these preferred textures to increase the likelihood that they will eat and enjoy their meal. Make sure to always include their safe foods.
3. Introduce New Foods Gradually
If you’re working on expanding your child’s diet, introduce new foods slowly and in small
amounts. Pairing new items with familiar favourites can make them feel less intimidating.
Avoid packing too many new or challenging foods at once, as this can be overwhelming and lead to further food refusal.
4. Use Divided Lunchboxes/ snack containers
Many children with sensory challenges prefer their foods to be separated to avoid mixing
textures or flavours. Bento boxes or divided containers can help keep foods separate and
visually organized, reducing anxiety about mealtime.
5. Consider Temperature Preferences
Some children have strong preferences for the temperature of their food—hot food should be hot, and cold food should be cold. Invest in a good thermos for hot items or ice packs to keep cold foods fresh. Consistent temperatures can make a big difference in how your child perceives their meal.
7. Collaborating with School Staff
Communication between parents and school staff is key to supporting a child with sensory eating challenges. Share your child’s preferences, triggers, and any successful strategies you use at home with their teachers and support staff.
8. Encouraging Positive Mealtime Experiences
Finally, focus on creating positive associations with mealtimes. Praise and encourage your child for trying new foods or simply managing their eating routine at school. Celebrate small victories and be patient—progress might be slow, but with consistent support, your child can develop a healthier relationship with food.
By adjusting the lunch environment and providing meals tailored to your child’s sensory
needs, you can help reduce the overwhelm and make lunchtime a more enjoyable part of their school day.
If you have enjoyed our blog and would like more practical tips and actionable advice to support your child with eating, stay tuned for our online programme in collaboration with Dr Kirsty Porter (www.nutrition4kidsni.com) to support children with sensory eating challenges which is launching at the end of September!
You can sign up to our mailing list today on the link below and we will email you a FREE E-book 'A Sensory Smart Lunchbox Guide'
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