School meals can be a challenge for vegan children, especially if the school canteen does not offer a varied enough range of plant-based meals. 

However, as parents, you have the opportunity to ensure that your child has access to nutritious and tasty lunches that match their dietary preferences. 

Here are some practical tips on how to manage school lunches for vegan children.

1. Communicate with the school and canteen

The first step is to establish communication with the school and the school canteen. Find out if the cafeteria offers vegan options, and if not, whether they would be willing to include them. Many schools today are open to customizing menus if parents express interest.

Tip: Prepare a list of simple vegan dishes that could easily be included on the menu (e.g. pasta with tomato sauce, vegetable risotto, legume soups).

Offer to help: If possible, offer recipes or consultation on vegan meals to the cafeteria.

2. Prepare lunches at home

If the school cafeteria does not offer vegan options, you can prepare lunches at home for your child. This will allow you to have full control over what your child eats and ensure that their diet is balanced and tasty.

Handy tips for packed lunches:

Sandwiches with hummus, avocado and fresh vegetables.

Salads with quinoa, chickpeas, tofu or tempeh.

Pasta salads with basil or sun-dried tomato pesto.

Wraps filled with beans, vegetables and vegetable cheese.

Homemade vegan burgers or meatballs with side dishes.

Tip: Invest in a good quality thermos to keep food warm if your child prefers hot lunches.

3. Ensure a balanced diet

A vegan diet can be very healthy if planned well. Make sure that lunches contain all the important nutrients your child needs for growth and development.

What a vegan lunch should contain:

Protein: Tofu, tempeh, legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans), nuts and seeds.

Carbohydrates: whole grain breads, rice, pasta, potatoes, quinoa.

Healthy fats: Avocados, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils.

Vitamins and minerals: Fresh vegetables and fruit, fortified plant milk (e.g. calcium and vitamin B12).

Tip: Add colourful vegetables and fruit to lunches to make the meal not only nutritious but also visually appealing.

4. Involve your child in the preparation

Children are much more willing to eat food that they have had a hand in preparing. Involve your child in planning and preparing lunches. You can try new recipes together and create a weekly menu.

Tip: Let your child choose their favourite ingredients or help pack lunches in a box.

5. Explain your child's dietary choices

It's important that your child understands why their diet is vegan and is able to talk about it with others. This will help him to cope better when classmates or teachers ask him about his eating habits.

Tip: Teach your child simple answers such as, "I eat vegan because I like animals and want to eat healthy."

6. Look for support in the community

Connect with other parents who have vegan children. You can exchange tips on recipes, share experiences and possibly approach the school together about improving the food offer.

Tip: Join online groups or forums aimed at vegan parents for inspiration and support.

7. Find support and resources for vegan parents and support for healthy snacks

In addition to lunches, don't forget snacks to give your child energy throughout the day. Vegan snacks can be simple and tasty.

Snack ideas:

Fruit bars or dried fruit

Nuts and seeds (if school rules allow)

Vegetable sticks with hummus

Homemade muffins or oatmeal cookies

8. Be patient and flexible

Switching to vegan school lunches can take time, especially when it comes to finding the right system. Be patient and prepared to adapt to your child's needs and the school's options.

Conclusion

Providing vegan lunches for children at school can be a challenge, but with a little planning and creativity, it's completely manageable. 

The key is communicating with the school, preparing tasty and nutritious meals at home and involving your child in the whole process. 

By doing this, you can provide your child with not only a healthy diet, but also an important lesson about the values that veganism brings.