I just found out from his teacher that my son has been struggling with his classmates making fun of his lunch. They say he eats “strange” food that isn’t like everyone else’s. I’ve always tried to give him healthy, homemade meals and avoid processed snacks, but now I’m wondering if that’s doing more harm than good. He never mentioned anything to me, but now I understand why he’s been so quiet after school. He’s even started forgetting things like his water bottle and jacket, which isn’t like him. I feel terrible that I didn’t realize what was going on sooner. Has anyone else dealt with something like this? How did you handle it?
I went through this exact thing with my daughter when she was around that age. I totally get how you’re feeling. We always packed homemade lunches, and she loved them… until she didn’t. Turns out, some kids were making comments about her weird food, and she started asking for school lunch just to fit in. It broke my heart because we’d always made meals together, and I thought she enjoyed them.
I ended up having a conversation with her teacher, and they talked to the class about different cultures and foods. I also let my daughter pick out a fun lunchbox and helped her come up with quick, confident responses if anyone commented on her food things like Yeah, it’s different, but I love it!. Over time, the teasing stopped, and she actually started sharing snacks with her friends, and they got curious instead of judgy.
Maybe try involving your son in packing his lunch so he feels some control? And if he’s open to it, maybe sending an extra snack to share could help change the conversation at school. Kids can be so tough on each other, but they also learn fast when given the chance! Hang in there 
This is a really common issue, and you’re not alone! A couple of things that worked for us:
Compromise on presentation: Sometimes, it’s not what they’re eating, but how it looks. Bento-style lunchboxes or fun food picks can make a big difference. My son stopped getting comments once I cut his sandwiches into fun shapes and packed his fruit in a cute container.
Pack a familiar bridge snack : If your goal is to keep things healthy, maybe add one thing that’s more “mainstream” alongside the usual. For example, if everyone’s eating crackers, you could find a whole grain version that still looks similar.
Teach simple responses 
A confident, “I like it, and it tastes awesome,” can go a long way. If kids see that he’s not embarrassed, they might lose interest in teasing.
I know it’s so hard seeing your child struggle socially, but small changes can really help. And honestly, some of those kids will probably grow up wishing they had the healthy meals your son is eating now!
I totally remember going through this when my son was in kindergarten, he’s in middle school now, so I promise it gets better! Kids at that age just want to fit in, and anything “ñdifferent becomes a target. It’s not about the food itself, it’s about social belonging.
Here’s what helped us:
Talk about it with your son : Let him share how he feels. Does he actually want a different lunch, or is it just about the teasing? My son didn’t actually want to change his food, but he felt stuck in how to respond.
Give him tools to handle the comments : Role, play responses at home! Even simple things like “It’s homemade, my mom makes the best food” can make him feel more confident.
Get the school involved if necessary : If it’s crossing into bullying, teachers should step in. Sometimes a class discussion about different foods can help normalize things.
At the end of the day, kids grow up and realize that different foods aren’t weird, they’re cool. My son now packs sushi and hummus wraps, and his friends all want to trade with him! Stay strong, mama, you’re doing a great job 
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Oh, this is tough, but I promise you, your son will be okay, and this won’t last forever. I know it feels like a big deal right now, and it is, but kids are constantly learning from each other. What seems weird today could be totally normal in a few months.
I’d say don’t rush to change what he eats unless he wants to. If he’s happy with his food at home, then the issue is more about confidence than the lunch itself. Maybe ask him if he’d like to pick out a special new lunchbox or add a fun little note inside. Small things can make a big difference in how he feels about lunchtime.
And honestly, trends change fast. My nephew used to get teased for bringing seaweed snacks, and now half his class eats them. Kids grow, perspectives shift, and soon this will just be a little bump in the road. Keep doing what you’re doing, mama, because giving him good food and a loving home is what really matters