4.8     NUTRITION

 

DATED:            April 2005

SOURCE:         Hints for Packed Lunches: A Guide for Parents,

 Caring for Children: Food Nutrition and Fun Activities, New South Wales     

 Health, 1993. pp. 21-22.

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POLICY

 

A healthy balance of food and drink in sufficient quantity should be provided on a daily basis.

 

PROCEDURES:

 

If the Care provider is providing the food:

 

If the Care Provider is providing the food, care should be taken to avoid allergy-inducing food and drink (in children with known conditions) and consideration given to dietary, cultural and religious preferences.

 

1.              Parents will give initial advice to care Providers with respect to a child’s routine and food requirements and continue to consult and exchange information with the Care Provider as the child grows.

 

2.       Some foods, such as whole nuts, are quite inappropriate for small children.

 

3.       Liquids, including milk, water and diluted (50%) fruit juice, should be offered regularly through the day and very frequently during summer.

 

4.       Food should be stored properly and hygienically, with due attention given to foods requiring refrigeration.

 

5.              Plenty of fresh food in the form of fruit and vegetables need to be offered.

 

6.              Children are encouraged to be seated for a meal as movement can cause choking.  Being seated also provides opportunities for social interaction, and as children are more likely to chew their food their food is digested properly.  Small children should not be left alone while eating.

 

7.              Parents of babies will supply, to Care Providers, formula etc with required preparations and storage instructions.

 

8.       Food is never to be used as a form of punishment either by its provision or denial.

 

PROCEDURES:

 

If the Parents are providing the food:

 

Parents also have the option of providing food for their children.  The following guidelines are provided.

 

HINTS FOR A PACKED LUNCH

A Guide for Parents

 

Check whether your Scheme has a nutrition policy to guide on types of food to send.

 

Choosing a variety of foods is always important and even if your child/ren have their favorites is wise to encourage new and different food experiences.  Be sure to pack foods that your child can eat with minimum risk of choking.

 

Do not forget meal appeal.  Food that looks attractive is more likely to be eaten and enjoyed.  Choose food that will carry without spoiling.  Pack carefully and do not forget to label the lunch box.

 

SNACK FOODS

 

Children often get hungry between meals.  Nutritious snacks will not only satisfy their appetite but will   help promote good health.

 

Good snack choices are:

 

·                     Fruit - fresh fruit cut into pieces or left whole.  Commercially prepared snack pack style fruit are also suitable.

·                     Vegetables - such as raw celery and carrot sticks, cooked jacket potatoes.

·                     Bread and Cereal Foods - fruit bread or buns, muffins, bagels, wholemeal scones and pikelets, breakfast biscuits, crispbreads and sandwiches (triangles, pin wheels and ribbon).  Suitable fillings for snack time sandwiches would be cheese, meat paste, fish paste and yeast extracts.

·                     Dairy Foods - cheese, yoghurt, long life milk drinks.

 

LUNCH TIME FOODS

 

·                     Sandwiches or Rolls - there are many varieties of bread, all suitable, so try including such breads as pita, Lebanese and rye.  High fibre varieties are the best choice.

 

Examples of suitable sandwich fillings are:

 

·                             Meat paste mixed with a little chutney.

·                             Salmon or Tuna mixed with finely chopped gherkin and flavored with mayonnaise.

·                             Cottage cheese mixed with finely chopped gherkin.

·                             Mashed or curried egg with finely chopped celery.

·                             Fish paste and celery.

·                             Tahini and grated carrot.

·                             Vegemite and finely shredded cabbage.

·                             Grated cheese.

 

·                     Baked beans or spaghetti - small tins with ring pull lids are convenient.

·                     Soups - cold and hot types.

·                     Salads - choose finger foods that are safe for your child to eat.

·                     Baked vegetable slices - choose ones that pack well, for example, zucchini slice.

·                     Yoghurt - plain or fruit.

·                     Custard

 

There are many more suitable foods and food combinations including ethnic foods such as falafel, lentils, beans, rotis and pasta dishes.

 

DRINKS

 

Children should be encouraged to drink water when they are thirsty.

 

It is a good ides to supply your child/ren with a milk drink to be served at morning and afternoon teatime.  Long life milk drinks are suitable and easy to pack.

 

At main mealtime, water of diluted juice (50%) is suitable. 

 

 

 

Remember - juice does not contain calcium and should not replace milk

 

 

On those days your child remains at home do not forget the milk!

 

FOODS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

 

Food is often eaten to celebrate special occasions.  For many, sharing a birthday cake is an important social occasion.

 

Foods given as treats do not have to be chocolate biscuits and sponge cake.  A mango, some strawberries or a slice of fruit loaf could also be served as a treat.  Holidays, festivals and religious celebrations of various cultures provide a valuable opportunity to include special occasion foods

 

 

 

Where a child has been provided with in-sufficient food for his/her needs,

the Care provider is expected to provide the extra food required and charges

the parent for the meal, as per the fee schedule.