Daycare and Snacks

[rockiesnugget]

Other than LO's birthday cake last month, DH and I haven't given LO any kind of sweets and had planned to limit them for the time being. Well Daycare has started giving LO graham crackers, vanilla wafers, etc. for snacks. The first time I didn't say anything because I figured I should pick my battles and since he had been given healthier snacks that this would be an occasional occurrence. This week, however, it has been everyday. I really want to make sure that I get LO off to a healthy start with food and feel that he gets a lot of sugar from fruit already and adding cookies that he is getting way more than he needs. Is this something that I should just not worry about and let it only be a daycare thing and keep not offering him these things at home? Or should I talk to daycare about not giving him these as snacks and offer to bring snacks ourselves (he is in a center that does not outside food is to be brought in, but since he is in the infant room and food is kept separately from others I might could make this work.) If they would let me bring my own snacks, what are some easy snacks you recommend that aren't too messy.

LO is 13 months old for those on mobile that can't see my ticker.

Also, maybe I am crunchier than I thought

[Stringy]

In an infant room I would say something. I doubt you are the only one. I wouldn't be happy with my toddler having cookies for snack every day. Are they at least pairing them with something healthy? It stinks that you can't bring it in. When I used to work in a center it would be best to have rotating snack sign up - we'd get tons of variety.

That said one year in a 2-year old room, we got in a winter rut of making brownies as an activity and eating them, making banana bread, kids bdays, etc. And a few parents respectfully mentioned that they would like to see some healthier items. Of course, we didn't provide any more than snacks (aka they brought their own lunches), so healthier items were mostly crackers and carbs - but there was a signup for people to bring in fruit or veggies and dip - so that helped.

Also - if its no outside food - what do they serve for meals? Are those healthy?

But again, 13 month old in an infant room - I would nicely say something about encouraging healthier snacking for sure.

[sarenu]

Just ask if you can bring in snacks. If they are like my daycare , they wouldn't care.

I don't have any problem with graham crackers or crackers for snacks, but then my daycare has pretty rounded meals for lunch (protein, veggie, fruit, carb). Sometimes better than I put together for weekend lunches.

As for easy snacks, there really aren't many. Cooked veggies are always good. Chunks of sweet potato, carrot, broccoli,etc. 13 month olds will make a mess of anything. You could also consider making your own crackers. There are a couple people here that do. Or provide a healthier cracker (baked, whole grain, veggie).

[SAK]

i know when i ran a center we got partially reimbursed through the national school lunch program. things we served for meals/snacks had to be on their lists. while friuts and veg were approved for snacks, they were required for meals, and we simply did not have the budget or the storage means necessary to have that much produce on hand at all times, so we had to buy a bunch of shelf stable items, and those were generally used for snacks. those things also tend to be carb heavy crackers, etc.

I have changed my food habits a lot since I worked there, and I'd now be appalled by my child eating most of the things we regularly served there, but at the time it was really the nature of the beast and the fact that most parents fed their kids even worse things at home, so they considered our diverse menu good, even if it was heavy in carbs and processed foods.

With that said, it's definitely worth discussing. I don't know your center, but I'd be surprised if they weren't willing to work with you on something, especially in the infant room

[sarenu]

Jan 15, 2015 11:14:49 GMT -5 SAK said:

i know when i ran a center we got partially reimbursed through the national school lunch program. things we served for meals/snacks had to be on their lists. while friuts and veg were approved for snacks, they were required for meals, and we simply did not have the budget or the storage means necessary to have that much produce on hand at all times, so we had to buy a bunch of shelf stable items, and those were generally used for snacks. those things also tend to be carb heavy crackers, etc.

I have changed my food habits a lot since I worked there, and I'd now be appalled by my child eating most of the things we regularly served there, but at the time it was really the nature of the beast and the fact that most parents fed their kids even worse things at home, so they considered our diverse menu good, even if it was heavy in carbs and processed foods.

With that said, it's definitely worth discussing. I don't know your center, but I'd be surprised if they weren't willing to work with you on something, especially in the infant room

This surprises me, because if I really wanted, I could bring in meals for C.  Snacks, meals, and milk.

I actually brought in all of his purees when he started with solids, including cereal.

I just brought in a little glass container each day for food.

Our daycare doesn't provide the most stellar meal plan, but they to have fruits and veggies regularly for snacks.  My daughter actually eats more veggies at daycare than at home.  Not because I don't serve them, but for some reason if she's around a bunch of other kids her age she tends to eat better.  

[TJ]

I give my kids graham crackers as a snack, so oops. But when E was younger, we sent a cutie (mandarin orange) or a banana every day for her snack. What about raisins? Can your LO handle them yet? Blueberries were another favorite.

[sarenu]

Jan 15, 2015 11:26:35 GMT -5 TJ said:

I give my kids graham crackers as a snack, so oops. But when E was younger, we sent a cutie (mandarin orange) or a banana every day for her snack. What about raisins? Can your LO handle them yet? Blueberries were another favorite.

We do the same with our kids.  Graham crackers are staples in our house.  I've heard they help with digestion as well (which we have to watch with E).

[rockiesnugget]

Jan 15, 2015 11:31:49 GMT -5 sarenu said:

Jan 15, 2015 11:26:35 GMT -5 TJ said:

I give my kids graham crackers as a snack, so oops. But when E was younger, we sent a cutie (mandarin orange) or a banana every day for her snack. What about raisins? Can your LO handle them yet? Blueberries were another favorite.

We do the same with our kids.  Graham crackers are staples in our house.  I've heard they help with digestion as well (which we have to watch with E).

I'm sure that in due time, graham crackers will be staples our household too, I'm just trying to delay it as much as possible.

[SAK]

Jan 15, 2015 11:25:09 GMT -5 sarenu said:

Jan 15, 2015 11:14:49 GMT -5 SAK said:

i know when i ran a center we got partially reimbursed through the national school lunch program. things we served for meals/snacks had to be on their lists. while friuts and veg were approved for snacks, they were required for meals, and we simply did not have the budget or the storage means necessary to have that much produce on hand at all times, so we had to buy a bunch of shelf stable items, and those were generally used for snacks. those things also tend to be carb heavy crackers, etc.

I have changed my food habits a lot since I worked there, and I'd now be appalled by my child eating most of the things we regularly served there, but at the time it was really the nature of the beast and the fact that most parents fed their kids even worse things at home, so they considered our diverse menu good, even if it was heavy in carbs and processed foods.

With that said, it's definitely worth discussing. I don't know your center, but I'd be surprised if they weren't willing to work with you on something, especially in the infant room

This surprises me, because if I really wanted, I could bring in meals for C.  Snacks, meals, and milk.

I actually brought in all of his purees when he started with solids, including cereal.

I just brought in a little glass container each day for food.

Our daycare doesn't provide the most stellar meal plan, but they to have fruits and veggies regularly for snacks.  My daughter actually eats more veggies at daycare than at home.  Not because I don't serve them, but for some reason if she's around a bunch of other kids her age she tends to eat better.  

What is surprising? We provided all food because we got reimbursed. But to get reimbursed we had to meet the food program's rules.

[rockiesnugget]

Jan 15, 2015 11:14:49 GMT -5 SAK said:

i know when i ran a center we got partially reimbursed through the national school lunch program. things we served for meals/snacks had to be on their lists. while friuts and veg were approved for snacks, they were required for meals, and we simply did not have the budget or the storage means necessary to have that much produce on hand at all times, so we had to buy a bunch of shelf stable items, and those were generally used for snacks. those things also tend to be carb heavy crackers, etc.

I have changed my food habits a lot since I worked there, and I'd now be appalled by my child eating most of the things we regularly served there, but at the time it was really the nature of the beast and the fact that most parents fed their kids even worse things at home, so they considered our diverse menu good, even if it was heavy in carbs and processed foods.

With that said, it's definitely worth discussing. I don't know your center, but I'd be surprised if they weren't willing to work with you on something, especially in the infant room

Yeah, I don't love what daycare offers for meals and feel that they are a little carb heavy. They do offer fruit and veggies during meals and during some snacks, he nearly always eats the fruit, but it is hit and miss with the veggies. I will talk to the director today and see if I can bring in snacks for him at least.

ETA: didn't proof read before posting