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.