Special diet in neuropsychiatric disabilities places new demands on school kitchens

Over the past ten years, more and more students in Södertälje have been given special diets due to autism and ADHD, among others.

- Overall, we see a fairly large change across the municipality, about an increase of 50 percent over a ten-year period. Ten years ago we did not have that type of special diet simply, says Sara Jervfors, diet manager in Södertälje municipality.

In the school kitchen at Rosenborg School, chef Disa Vellonen notices the increase.

- We get more medical certificates. You can sometimes not swallow the food properly due to the medication of ADHD and then you need light-eyed food. It could also be that you have phobias for dots in the food, for example, she says.

In addition to the regular menu that most people eat of, the school now has a fixed menu that is repeated every week, to create predictability for the children who need it. On that menu, the food is divided, instead of a casserole, the food is divided - potatoes, vegetables and meat are separated.

In addition, they work closely with the educational staff to ensure that the children receive all the nutrients.

- It gets messy for many others, says Disa Vellonen.

The special diet has not increased costs in Södertälje, but it creates more jobs for the staff in the dining rooms.

"Obviously it would be easier if everyone ate the same, but it is about that all children have the right to get nutrition, and get school food," she says.