Daycare Food: What Your Child Eats when You’re at Work

When my son moved from the infant to toddler rooms at daycare, I worried a bit about how my new walker would keep up with the big 1-year-olds. I was almost in a panic, though, about giving up control over what he ate each day while I was at work. I was haunted by images of hot dogs, tater tots, and juice for a boy who had just had his first piece of chocolate cake.

Well, my son is three years old now and he survived, and probably thrived on, the meals and snacks served at daycare. While many parents of children in daycare agonize over exactly what and how much food their child consumes each day, others feel more positive. “The food is one reason I like my daycare. My daughter is eating healthier food there than I probably prepare most nights at home,” one Seattle Mom says.

But if you are uneasy about the food your child eats at daycare, there are ways to lessen the distress of giving over diet control to someone else.

First of all, find out if the daycare facility is licensed by the state. Most likely it is. If so, they must follow specific standards for what is included in meals and snacks. The standards generally reflect the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines and use the food group system for menu planning.

That’s why the breakfast you see carted in each morning always seems to have three items – a grain like cereal or bagels, a fruit or veggie like bananas, and milk. A typical lunch that meets the requirements might include a tuna fish sandwich, grapes, carrot sticks, and milk. A typical snack might be graham crackers and 100% fruit juice.

If your child attends in-home day care, standards may exist but are often less stringent. For instance, meals and snacks may not be required to include specific food groups. Other childcare, such as nanny-care or half-day preschool, is usually not required to meet standards. In this case, be sure to ask the provider how they ensure the nutritional adequacy of their meals. Work with the provider to plan meals that are nutritious and that you feel comfortable serving your child.

Knowledge is key. Find out the typical menus served by the daycare facility. Standards often specify that the menus cannot be the same each week. Once you are convinced your child will not be served chicken nuggets and fries every day, rejoice that your child will receive a varied, well-balanced diet. Since variety is one key to a healthy diet, let the daycare worry about preparing those foods you wouldn’t normally prepare at home.

Play the make-up game. Find out what was offered each day and how much your child ate. If she didn’t eat any fruits or veggies, make sure to offer her favorite sliced apples or sneak some tomatoes onto her quesadilla at dinner.

If your center allows parent visits, plan to join your child for a meal during the first few days of a new eating routine. The transition to eating with a group at a specified time can be hard on toddlers. And seeing your child’s independence in the new meal environment can put you at ease, as well.

Don’t hesitate to request special diet additions or restrictions. Many parents routinely provide a supplemental food each day such as a favorite fruit. More importantly, allergies or food intolerances should be discussed with the provider and a plan established for eliminating any exposure to those foods.

Lastly, set the stage for good eating habits at home. Eating meals together as a family, avoiding the use of food as reward or withholding food as punishment, discouraging eating in front of the TV, and limiting foods high in added sugar are some ways to help establish healthy eating for life. With persistence, you might be surprised at the choices your child makes when away from home.