I am a lunchtime supervisor in a primary school and was interested to read your headlines (Oxford Mail, June 7).

While I disagree with removing items from a child's lunchbox, I fully support any healthy eating plan.

We advise against fizzy drinks and chocolate (which are not allowed) because it can have an effect not only on their health but on their afternoon performance, making them sluggish and irritable.

Some children have nothing at all to drink, so we offer water and ask them to bring a drink next time.

Few parents seem happy to send their child with a couple of cakes and a packet of crisps either through lack of thought or simply because that's all the child will eat and better than no lunch at all. My own child existed on one rice cake and a banana until the sympathetic headmaster suggested I took her home dinners for a week until she settled.

Occasionally, a parent will be asked to sit with their child if they are having problems lunchtimes can be very stressful, especially to new children.

There are children who have asked me what mashed potato is and some have never seen a cabbage!

While this may shock us, we should realise that healthy new foods need to be introduced slowly.

On the rare occasion when a child turns up with a packet of sweets or bag of crisps, we offer them a school lunch or even bits of one!

We all have to work hard in supporting parents and children and work out a healthier diet.

Food should never be taken by a teacher or member of staff as this can make the problem worse.

Amanda Howes, Hertford Street, Oxford