Mother accused of 'starving' daughter after revealing what she packs in her lunchbox

The dilemma has caused quite the debate on parenting forum Mumset

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A mother has been accused of ‘starving’ her eight-year-old daughter after revealing what she packs in her lunchbox.

Preparing your child’s school lunch can be a minefield from worrying about giving them too much sugar to concerns over other children’s allergies.

Consider then how one mother felt when she thought she’d finally got the balance right, only for her friend to recoil in horror.

Posting on parenting forum Mumsnet, the worried woman explained that her friend was “aghast” when she saw the amount of food she had given her child to take to school.

She insisted that her daughter was a healthy weight and height but that the friend told her she “was basically starving” her child.

The anonymous woman continued to describe what the youngsters meal included, which was one mini pitta, six mini bread sticks, dessert spoon of hummus, dessert spoon of guacamole, six big strawberries and a frube.

“That’s fine isn’t it?” the mother asked.

She also added that her daughter ate a bowl of plain yoghurt and berries for breakfast and usually has cheese or a piece of fruit as an afternoon snack.

For dinner, she normally has casserole, fish pie, jacket potato or soup and a glass of milk before bed.

“She always has small snacks and lunches and doesn’t complain of hunger. Friend was aghast and said her kids at 18-months-old ate more than that. She looked horrified.“

The woman’s post quickly divided opinion with some agreeing that it was a tiny portion.

“My seven and nine-year-old would still be ravenous after that,” one person wrote.

Another added: “That is a tiny amount. I’m pretty sure my 11-month-old would demolish that without a problem.”

However, others leaped to the mother’s defence saying that she should ignore her friend and be confident that she knows what’s best for her child.

“Every child has different appetites, as long as they're happy full and not hungry then what’s the harm. Ignore your friend,” someone wrote.

Another agreed that it was plenty of food adding: “She's not hiking in the arctic and she's had breakfast and will get dinner."

Confused about what to pack in your child’s lunchbox? Luckily the NHS has provided some handy tips on what a healthy school lunch should look like.

It recommends basing the lunchbox on starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, rice or pasta as well as including some fresh fruit and vegetables.

A good source of proten like beans, eggs, meat or cheese is also recommended as is including a side dish such as low fat and low sugar yoghurt, fruit bread, rice cakes and sugar-free jelly.

For drinks, the guide says water and skimmed or semi-skimmed milk are best but you can also give your children sugar-free or no-added-sugar drinks.