With childhood obesity and overweight at an all time high, what can daycare providers do to make a difference?
I recognize that proper eating habits should start at an early age and begin at home. But if young children are in daycare throughout a parents long work day, the “burden” of meeting a child’s dietary needs shifts to daycare providers.
As daycare providers, it is important to meet the health and nutrition requirements for the children you care for. I constantly hear the buzz words “all natural” “trans-fats” “free range” “organic”.
What do these terms mean and are these types of foods more expensive? New studies and reports are released daily. They can contradict each other and become confusing and overwhelming.
There are companies such as Real Food for Real Kids, a Canadian company which offers healthy, organic, free range, refined sugar free, trans-fat free, meal delivery to childcare centers, but it is relatively expensive.
While you may not be able to afford delivery service, there are some things you can do.
Arm yourself with knowledge and arm the children in your daycare around you with knowledge. For parents who send your children to daycare with home lunches and for daycare providers who provide breakfast, lunch and snacks to children it is important to have knowledge of age appropriate, balanced nutrition.
I suggest reading: The Yale Guide to Children's Nutrition by William Tamborlan, which is a comprehensive guide to children’s nutrition and a good place to start to learn the basics.
I also love The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids Favorite Meals by Missy Chase Lapine. Lapine is really on to something with highly creative, healthy dishes that get finicky eaters to eat healthfully.
I also suggest How to Teach Nutrition to Kids by Connie Liakos Evers, which helps child care providers teach children about a balanced diet.
Even making a few simple additions to your daycare menus can make a big difference. One child care center designates two days each week as “salad bar days”. Get creative and really mix up the fruits and veggies. Just make sure they are age appropriate and fresh.
Educate the children about the benefits of eating healthy, and then model healthy eating in the food you serve. For more fruit and veggie theme and activity ideas, see my article Nutrition Activities for Daycare.
