Planning for Good Nutrition in Child Care Centers

Kentucky Department of Education:

Division of School and Community Nutrition

Annual Training 2012

OverviewDiscuss the concept planning: What is it and Why is it Important?

Know the difference between quality nutrition

and poor nutrition

Learn why planning for good nutrition is

essential for young children

Know the “Stages of Planning” that lead to a good nutritious meal for

every child at every meal served at child care centers.

Why Now?

Re-evaluating Healthier Kentucky Challenge

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

Building a Foundation FIRST

Seriousness of the Issue: QUALITY MATTERS

Do You Plan?

Planning for Good Nutrition in Child

Care Centers

PLANNING…What is it?1. Is a process of thinking about and

organizing the activities required to achieve a desired goal.

2. Planning involves the creation and maintenance of a plan.

3. Planning is a fundamental property of intelligent behavior.

PLANNING….Why do it?

Work out what you want to do (your goals)

Think about how you are going to achieve what you want.

Work out any extra supports you might need.

Work out if there are things in your life you would like to have more control over.

Think about what you might do if some things don't work out.

Think about the changes you want to make and Plan to make these changes successfully

GOOD Childhood Nutrition….What is it?

Supply of quality materials - food - required by organisms and cells to

stay alive, heal, and thrive.

POOR Childhood Nutrition….What is it?

Supply of low quality materials - food - consumed by organisms and cells that if consumed in

place of quality materials, will over time cause malnutrition that

leads to a host of disorders and disease.

Good Nutrition (High/Dense Nutrients)

-Whole/Fresh Fruits and Vegetables-Whole Grains-Whole Meat/ Meat Alternates-Milk-Fresh Water-Foods low in saturated fat, added sugar, added salt

Poor Nutrition (Low Nutritional Value)

-Foods with high amounts of fat, sugar, fillers, and/or sodium.(Chips, Processed Chicken Nuggets, Packaged Muffins, Cookies, Refined Flour, Fast Foods Etc.)

JUNK FOOD!

!

Special Considerations of Good Childhood Nutrition

-Developing tastes that may last a lifetime.

-Developing eating habits that may last a lifetime.

-Childhood a critical time of growth and development for the body and brain. Nutrient dense food a must.

-Some foods are not appropriate for all children (allergies, choking hazards, etc.)

-Children have heightened taste buds.

Why Plan for Good Childhood Nutrition?

Encourages children to try new foods.

Encourages children to get familiar with the taste of nutrient dense food.

Ensures children are getting the best fuel and balanced diet for their growing mind and body.

Encourages children to develop positive attitudes towards eating and food.

Decreases the likely-hood of childhood malnourishment or obesity

Who is good at planning for a child’s meal?

Planning for Good Childhood Nutrition

Stage 1: Laying the Foundation

DECIDE that YOU are Committed to GOOD Childhood Nutrition

•Wellness Policy

•Statement of Commitment

Get Input From Parents, Children

and Staff

Think about Your Resources: Cook,

Facility, Equipment,

Storage Space, and Places to Purchase Food

STAGE 1 Continued…….

Print Out Several Copies of Your

Menu/Menu Planning Form and the CACFP

Food Chart

Make it a Goal to Create Four Weeks of Delicious and Nutritious Cycle Menus!

Stage 1 Continued…..

Gather Your

Planning Team

Together

Stage 1 Continued…..

Make TIME to PLAN!

Get Out Your Food Buying Guide and Your Food Crediting

Guide

Planning for Good Childhood Nutrition

Meat/Meat Alternates

FRESH WHOLE Meat Basics: Ground Beef,

Chicken, Pork, Ground Turkey

Consider Your Resources and

Recipes. VARIETY in type of Meat and in preparation!

Processed Items: Chicken Nuggets, etc., Hot Dogs, Corn Dogs,

etc.(Limit to Twice a Month!)

Include Vegetarian Meals: Eggs, Beans, and Yogurt are

all Meat AlternatesTry Something

New!

Fruits and Vegetables

Increase WHOLE fruits and vegetables at all

meals. DECREASE Juice

Rise to the CHALLENGE: One

fresh fruit or vegetable per day

Replace #10 Cans with fresh or frozen

items.

Fruits and Vegetables Continued Choose a variety of

colors at meals and throughout the week. Variety in

color means variety in nutrition!

Introduce at least one new fruit or vegetable every month. Make it

an “extra.”

Breads and GrainsIncrease whole

grains…try for at least one whole

grain item per day.Try to periodically

introduce a new grain. Make it an “extra.”

Wild rice, quinoa, and couscous are some tasty new grains!

Look for variety in wheat (bread)

products. Crackers,

croutons, pita bread, and naan

provide a different choice

than sliced sandwich bread.

Breads and Grains Continued

Get creative with your grains. Put rice or noodles in soup. Make a pasta salad with noodles, fresh

vegetables, and italian dressing!

Toast bread for a tasty change of

pace. (Large quantities can be toasted on cookie

sheets in the oven!)

MILK

1% or Skim for two or older.

Use it to make a delicious smoothie at

snack!

Flavored milk can be a great occasional treat!

Don’t Forget About Water!

Make a Plan to Encourage Young Children to Enjoy Drinking

Water(this is one of the best habits and tastes you can help

children develop!)

Planning for Good Childhood Nutrition

STAGE 3: Putting on the Finishing Touches!

Have Other People Take a Look at Your Menus to ensure there is variety in color,

texture, and components!

Make Sure There are no Tan Mushy Meals!

Planning for Good Childhood Nutrition

STAGE 4:Purchasing, Preparing and Serving

Once a Month: Purchase what you can in shelf stable bulk as your storage space allows:

-Canned Goods: -Spices-Crackers/Croutons-Pasta-Cereals-Oatmeal-Flour and Sugar-Rice and Other Grains-Dried Beans

Purchase Perishables One Week at a Time:

-Meat-Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (Look for Seasonal Items!)-Bread-Milk-Eggs-Yogurt

ALWAYS check expiration dates and rotate food on your

shelf!

After a Complete Month, ask parents, children and staff for feedback!

-What did you like the most?-What did you like the least-What would you like to see on the menu that wasn’t listed?-Do you have any suggestions for another way to prepare an item-Etc.

YAHBUT…..

YESHOW?

Planning for Good Childhood Nutrition

STAGE 5: Celebrate Your Commitment to Good Nutrition!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eis-CLs6ds8&NR=1&feature=endscreen

When you INVEST your CACFP Funds in HIGH QUALITY,

NUTRITIOUS FOODS, you

INVEST in Early Childhood Education.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eis-CLs6ds8&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Thank you for INVESTING in the

children in your care. You make a difference

every day!