Daycare food - do I need to evaluate myself?

[marina007]

DD (18 months) is in full time daycare. They provide am snack, lunch and pm snack.

Before we moved, she was in full time daycare too, and there was a high focus on healthy, wholesome food - they served fish for lunch 2-3 times a week, lots of different vegetables, oatmeal with no added sugar , veggie soups made from scratch, lots of fresh fruit & dark bread w/eggs. I loved it - and felt like she was getting nutritious, balanced meals. She ate like a dream.

Since we didn't get into the daycare we wanted (we've been on wait list since October), DD is currently In a daycare we are ok with but don't love. There are great people working there, but I am having major issues with the food.

Everything seems to be sooo processed, - an example of snacks in a week have been:
- ritz crackers
- nilla wafers
- pretzels
- vanilla ice cream with sprinkles
- sea salt veggie straws (ie chips)
- chocolate chip cookies

Lunches are similar: quesadillas with a side of canned corn, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, pb&j on wonderbread, and tater tots etc. They also get milk and juice boxes, but I've asked that dd only get water or milk.

I just feel genuinely terrible about them getting so much sugar and salt and so seemingly little nutrition.

Am I being uptight? Is there any way I can broach the subject with daycare provider without seeming like a meddling, uptight food nazi?

By all means, I'm not expecting kale chips and quinoa pilaf, but is some unsweetened yoghurt, fresh fruit or at least whole wheat bread too much to ask for?

(Part of the frustration here is also that I feel like she has gotten so used to the snack foods at daycare that she has now become super picky with food I try to give her at home - she used to love salmon& veggies or wheat sandwiches but now she only wants raisins and goldfish...)

[erbear]

If I picked the daycare, and the daycare was providing the food, it is what it is. I"d prefer healthier snacks than that but I'm not sure you can do much at this point. I'd make sure kids had a healthy breakfast and a healthy dinner and move on.

[mainelyfoolish]

Apr 28, 2015 19:05:34 GMT -5 marina007 said:

(Part of the frustration here is also that I feel like she has gotten so used to the snack foods at daycare that she has now become super picky with food I try to give her at home - she used to love salmon& veggies or wheat sandwiches but now she only wants raisins and goldfish...)

Keep in mind that at 18 months old it is very normal for children to stop eating the great variety of foods they used to try and only want Goldfish crackers. Not to say that you shouldn't keep offering a variety of foods, but her new-found picky eating isn't necessarily the fault of her daycare. 

[jeaniebueller]

Around here that is par for the course for daycare food as far as lunches. Ian sort of being TIC when I ask what is wrong with raisins and goldfish?

[spankswife]

DD's school has a fairly strict nutrition policy, so I hear ya. Although I agree with prior poster, it's part of the daycare you picked. I would maybe casually mention it, but it is what it is, unfortunately. I wouldn't want to cause a big stir.

[marina007]

Apr 28, 2015 19:14:43 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Around here that is par for the course for daycare food as far as lunches. Ian sort of being TIC when I ask what is wrong with raisins and goldfish?

I have nothing against raisins and goldfish, I just struggle when it's literally the only thing she'll eat?
It just feels like a lot of sugar&salt... I don't know.

I'm a big fan of everything in moderation, but I feel like when salty snacks and cookies are a daily occurrence, it becomes less of a treat and more of an expectation?

[cricketwife]

Can you send your own food? Our DCP provides am and pm snacks and we provide lunch. So I just send in all his food because the snacks are pretty unhealthy - though no ice cream.

[marina007]

Apr 28, 2015 19:17:44 GMT -5 spankswife said:

DD's school has a fairly strict nutrition policy, so I hear ya. Although I agree with prior poster, it's part of the daycare you picked. I would maybe casually mention it, but it is what it is, unfortunately. I wouldn't want to cause a big stir.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too - I'm so happy with the daycare otherwise, I don't want to make waves really.

Maybe I could mention that she seems sensitive to sugar? Gahhhh. I hate feeling like "that parent".

[marina007]

Apr 28, 2015 19:20:21 GMT -5 cricketwife said:

Can you send your own food? Our DCP provides am and pm snacks and we provide lunch. So I just send in all his food because the snacks are pretty unhealthy - though no ice cream.

I think so, but I feel like a big part of the socialization aspect of daycare is eating with others and the mealtime culture? Also, I'm pretty sure if the other kids are eating cookies and ice cream and she's given celery sticks with cheese and half an apple, she'd kick up quite the fuss (she really loves the snacks).

[marina007]

Apr 28, 2015 19:13:26 GMT -5 tulips said:

Did you see sample menus before you decided on the center? I would not be happy with ice cream for a snack. I think you can bring things up to the director and ask if there are small adjustments that can be made or what the rules are for bringing in your own food.

I have a stick up my ass about what my kid eats, but I know he eats well at home and a few less than desirable meals at DC won't make or break him. He's on the no juice, no ice cream, no popsicles list though because he doesn't have that stuff at home either.

I didn't. It was my mistake - they didn't provide one, and I just assumed that it would be a bit more balanced, especially since the younger kids in her group are only a year old.

[cricketwife]

Apr 28, 2015 19:23:48 GMT -5 marina007 said:

Apr 28, 2015 19:20:21 GMT -5 cricketwife said:

Can you send your own food? Our DCP provides am and pm snacks and we provide lunch. So I just send in all his food because the snacks are pretty unhealthy - though no ice cream.

I think so, but I feel like a big part of the socialization aspect of daycare is eating with others and the mealtime culture? Also, I'm pretty sure if the other kids are eating cookies and ice cream and she's given celery sticks with cheese and half an apple, she'd kick up quite the fuss (she really loves the snacks).

My kid does ok with it, but he is a big eater and will eat anything, lol. I did tell them in the beginning to give him their snack if he is still hungry when he finishes what I send. Could you ask that they serve her both things? at least it wouldn't all be junk that way. 

[karinothing]

I would not be happy with this menu, but basically the only thing mine serves that you listed are crackers (with cheese and fruit) and pretzels (with fruit). I dont get serving tator tots. Cookies and ice cream shouldn't be snack IMO, I am not sure that even follows USDA guidelines.

Anyway, you can pack your own food. We have a few kids that do this at DSs school, they still all eat together.

[arch01]

I wouldn't be thrilled about the cookies and ice cream, but honestly, everything else on that list is in DS' regular rotation of snacks both at home and DC.

His lunches there at least have a fruit and veggie, but do include chicken nuggets 1x/wk. Outside of the Pop Tarts ours feeds every other week for breakfast, food just isn't my hill to die on. Maybe I'd care more if DS ate more than 3 lunches and 3 snacks there a week.

I can't get all up in arms over this, but if you don't like it, send your own food.

[Deleted]

I'd be upset about the ice cream and just not happy overall with the menu.  My daycare accepts state funds for low income students so they have to follow pretty strict guidelines - only whole grain break, yogurt must be unsweetened, etc.  Here's more info here - you may want to use as talking points if you address your concerns:

www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/cacfp/policymemo/no132c.htm

[curbsideprophet]

Apr 28, 2015 19:23:48 GMT -5 marina007 said:

Apr 28, 2015 19:20:21 GMT -5 cricketwife said:

Can you send your own food? Our DCP provides am and pm snacks and we provide lunch. So I just send in all his food because the snacks are pretty unhealthy - though no ice cream.

I think so, but I feel like a big part of the socialization aspect of daycare is eating with others and the mealtime culture? Also, I'm pretty sure if the other kids are eating cookies and ice cream and she's given celery sticks with cheese and half an apple, she'd kick up quite the fuss (she really loves the snacks).

She should still be able to eat at the same time if you send your own food. I would try sending lunch and letting her eat the snacks they provide and see how it goes. 

[tcu2003]

Apr 28, 2015 20:09:06 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

I'd be upset about the ice cream and just not happy overall with the menu.  My daycare accepts state funds for low income students so they have to follow pretty strict guidelines - only whole grain break, yogurt must be unsweetened, etc.  Here's more info here - you may want to use as talking points if you address your concerns:

www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/cacfp/policymemo/no132c.htm

This. My daycare is similar, but a different state, though I think they all follow the same federal guidelines. I'd say something - my child has attended two different centers in different states and never been served hot dogs, corn dogs, ice cream or chips (well, chips have been at a party brought in by a parent). I wouldn't be okay with the menu either. I don't love some of the snacks at our current daycare (graham crackers, vanilla wafers, and goldfish), but they're balanced out throughout the month with things like fruit, cheese sticks, or wheat bread with a non-nut butter.

[fortnightlily]

Ours is similar. While I look wistfully at the menus of other daycares, it's not worth the extra $500 a month nor getting on another long waitlist. Thankfully he still loves most fruit and there are a still a few fairly healthy mainstays I can usually get him to eat at home, even as he gets picker.

[mandapanda18]

My daycare has very sensible, healthy food. They eat salmon once a week, shrimp, turkey, quinoa, etc. heck he eats better than I do at lunch! I provide snacks, he gets one crap carb snack, and two healthy ones (usually graham crackers or goldfish, fruit and applesauce. They get cupcakes at parties only. I would ask about the food, or pack his lunch.

[mlt]

I don't see the harm in asking about it. "Have you considered substituting veggies for snack?" The ice cream would bother me in particular - my kid seriously gets high as a kite after eating that much sugar.

[dulcemariamar]

I would not like that DC menu and I would try to find another option.

[Deleted]

Apr 28, 2015 19:14:32 GMT -5 mainelyfoolish said:

Apr 28, 2015 19:05:34 GMT -5 marina007 said:

(Part of the frustration here is also that I feel like she has gotten so used to the snack foods at daycare that she has now become super picky with food I try to give her at home - she used to love salmon& veggies or wheat sandwiches but now she only wants raisins and goldfish...)

Keep in mind that at 18 months old it is very normal for children to stop eating the great variety of foods they used to try and only want Goldfish crackers. Not to say that you shouldn't keep offering a variety of foods, but her new-found picky eating isn't necessarily the fault of her daycare. 

This is exactly what I was coming in to say. I don't think my daycare provides the healthiest choices all the time, however I feel that my DS only eats lunch and two snacks there and will only do it until he starts school. The good habits he's learning at home are more important than the ones he's learning at daycare IMO. Because those are the ones that will stay consistent through his childhood and adolescence.

[SJ]

I don't consider myself very picky about food, but I wouldn't be thrilled with that.

Cookies & ice cream seem unnecessary in the daily snack rotation.

ETA: this is the snack menu from our daycare  gourmetgorilla.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/MayDAYOFSnackPacket.pdf

[lg28]

I wouldnt be thrilled with that food either. I would probably ask to see a weeks menu or start sending your own.

My DS gets fed well at preschool and I find that makes him a better eater at home too.

[shellbear09]

I would not be happy with that menu but I also would have seen the menu before I picked the place. I don't know there is much you can do except send your own food. I wouldn't necessarily attribute the picky eating to the food though. That was the age my dd stopped eating lots of stuff she had previously.

[lolo]

Food is definitely a big sticking point with me. I mentioned when touring the next room at J's current school that food was a big hesitation for me there. They actually asked what foods I would prefer instead and I made lots of suggestions that were equally low cost and convenient. They are currently revamping their offerings because of this. I was surprised at how responsive they were with essentially an offhand comment.

I offer this because sometimes centers are receptive and you just never know.

[boxerdog]

Other than the cookies and ice cream, that sounds par for the course for the daycares around me. DS gets a good amount of processed food, but they at least serve fruits or veggies with every meal.

I wouldn't be too pleased with so many sweets, though.

[dancingirl21]

I'm not breezy about food. That would really bother me. Can you suggest healthier options? Buying wheat bread instead of white is the same price. Veggies for snacks, dried fruit, etc.