|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

Menus for Children in Daycare

If you are providing day care for preschool-aged children, you should implement a nutritional, well-balanced menu for your children. The United States Department of Agriculture suggests that a moderately active child between the ages of 4 and 5 should consume approximately 1,400 calories per day. This figure will be slightly less for younger or less active children and more for older or more active children.

  1. Breakfast

    • As a daycare worker, you must supply food and snacks to children that are easily served and that most children will enjoy. Cereal with low-fat milk, fruit such as bananas, oranges, apples or pears, toast with low-fat butter and reduced-sugar jellies, oatmeal and fruit juices are ideal for providing a healthy variety of breakfast items that children will want to eat. Other options for breakfast are bagels and English muffins topped with low-sugar jams or jellies or reduced-fat peanut butter.

    Morning Snack

    • For children's snacks, avoid cookies, candy and other snacks that are high in sugar to avoid hyperactivity in children. Healthy, nutritious snacks should be implemented in your daycare program such as fresh fruit and raw vegetables. Apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, carrots and celery sticks are foods full of vitamins and minerals for growing children. Children who will not eat raw fruits and vegetables may choose applesauce, fruit cups or granola bars as a healthy morning snack option. Morning snack time should fall two to three hours after breakfast is served.

    Lunch

    • For lunch, prepare turkey dogs or veggie burgers on whole wheat buns topped with lettuce and tomato. A side of green beans, pinto beans, kidney beans or baked beans will help add another vegetable to the meal if a child chooses not to top his burger or turkey dog with vegetables. Another lunch that can provide proper nutrition are tuna melts made with reduced-fat mayonnaise and cheese on whole-wheat buns or subs made with lean deli meats and topped with various fresh vegetables. Add a serving of fresh fruit to this meal to add vitamins to the menu.

    Afternoon Snack

    • Afternoon snacks may mimic morning snacks, or you may choose to implement different choices for the children. Raisins, yogurt, Chex mix, dry cereal such as Cheerios, Corn Pops, Fruit Loops or Apple Jacks, popcorn, peanuts and pretzels are good snack options for your daycare children. Afternoon snack time should fall about two hours after the children finish lunch.

Nutrition - Related Articles