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By
Catherine M. Pruissen
1992 marked a new era for Canada's Food Guide
and the U.S.D.A.'s Basic Four Food Groups,
both of which were revised to meet the nutritional
standards of today's healthy lifestyle.
For example, Canada has added peanut butter to its
list of meat and alternatives while the U.S.D.A. has
replaced its Four Basic Food Groups with a pyramid
of daily portions. Fats, added as a fifth group, occupy
the top position on the pyramid indicating the smallest
allotment. Grain products on the other hand take up
the entire and noticeably larger bottom segment thus
illustrating significant differences in recommended
daily intake. In addition the U.S.D.A. has added key
symbols throughout the pyramid to demonstrate the
fat and sugar content of each group.
If these new food guides do anything they remind us
that a well-balanced diet is important, especially
where children are concerned. Parents are, by nature,
conscientious nutritionists when it comes to their
family's health. Oh sure, the odd fast food meal slips
into the well-planned weekly menu but even the experts
concede that in moderation these meals are not really
bad. It's what gets (or doesn't get) eaten when parents
are not around that is cause for concern. This is
particularly so when a child is in daycare for a great
portion of the day and meals such as breakfast and
lunch are part of that care.
Child
Care and Meal Planning
It
is important then that parents take the time to go
over their child's diet with the provider even before
they place their child in a center or home. They should
ask to see a menu and should look it over thoroughly
to ensure it is:
- balanced
and nutritious, and
-
that their child will enjoy and more important,
actually eat what is being served.
Most licensing boards require that weekly menus be
posted in a conspicuous place where parents can review
them. Although menus are the first indication of a
provider's knowledge of nutrition, there are many
other things, as the following list indicates, that
are part and parcel to providing healthy meals and
establishing good eating habits.
Parents
should ensure that:
-
food preparation areas are clean and well maintained.
Cleanliness and good hygiene are vital to reducing
the spread of germs and diseases. A solution of
nine parts water to one part bleach is a suggested
cleanser.
- diaper
changing areas are not located close to the food
preparation area.
- staff
practice good hand washing techniques.
- all
eating utensils are rinsed in a bleach solution,
then rinsed again.
- baby
bottles and other perishable foods are tightly covered,
properly labeled and stored in the refrigerator.
- meals
are served in small groups and are pleasant and
enjoyable, not rushed. It is important for providers
to join the children at meal times as this enhances
the child/provider relationship, fosters social
skills, and enables the provider to properly supervise
the group. It is during this time the provider can
note the child's food intake.
- their
children are being served adequate portions. Most
licensing boards require that children who are in
a provider's care for three hours be served a snack;
for five hours a meal and a snack; for any time
thereafter two meals and a snack. Meals should consist
of at least one third of the faily recommended portions
as per the Food Guide.
- their
provider is receptive to them leaving expressed
breast milk.
-
they are welcome to join their child at meal time
or any time.
Special
Diets
A child who requires a special diet is of major concern
to both the parents and the provider. To be certain
the child is eating only recommended food parents
should discuss the diet at length with the provider.
They may also choose to provide their child's meals
and snacks.
Most parents and providers know that a child's appetite
varies from day to day just as his or her preference
for certain foods changes as often as the wind blows.
The best they can do is respect the child's growing
independence while at the same time try to find new,
interesting foods that the child will like. No easy
feat to be sure. But as tempting as it may be sometimes,
a child should never be forced to eat.
Canada's
Food Guide and the U.S.D.A.'s Food Guide
Pyramid are focal points on which to balance
meals that help children (and adults too) develop
strong healthy bodies and set the premise for good
lifelong eating habits. "Bon appetit" as they say.
Resources
Start
Right, A nutritional guide for your child's first
three years from the Canadian Pediatric Society,
Distributed by H.J. Heinz Co. of Canada, 1-800-268-6641
(See
Business Forms
in our Exclusive Products
section to order ready-to-use Weekly
Menu forms.)
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