Increase Fruits and Veggies

According to the USDA, poor nutrition, including eating too much fat, sugar & sodium and not eating enough fruits and vegetables, affects students’ performance in school. Poor nutrition affects kids’ energy levels, ability to concentrate, and ability to learn.

Three child care providers who participate in CACFP were recently asked to complete a survey asking them various questions relating to their meals and snacks and successful techniques for picky eaters.

Here’s what they had to say:

What types of fruits and vegetables do you offer to the children?

Fruits- strawberries, blueberries, apples, bananas, cantaloupe, kiwi, watermelon, honeydew melon, peaches, pears, pineapples, oranges, grapes, mangoes, nectarines, papaya and grapefruit.

Vegetables – Broccoli, carrots, asparagus, cucumbers, pinto beans, corn, cauliflower, green beans, celery, brussels sprouts, mushrooms, lettuce, asparagus, okra, tomato sauce, peppers, olives, pickles and cabbage.

Name your favorite snacks that contain a fruit or vegetable.

Apple slices and/or celery with peanut butter & water; graham crackers, applesauce & water; cottage cheese, pineapple & water; bread sticks with tomato sauce and 1% milk, Create your own trail mix with cereal, dried fruit and nuts and 1% milk; Low-fat yogurt with frozen blueberries and water; Watermelon balls and 1% milk; Cheese cubes, raisins and water; Raw veggies like carrots, celery or cauliflower with yogurt dip made from plain low fat yogurt, chopped cucumbers, garlic powder, salt & pepper served with a glass of water.

What obstacles have you faced when getting children to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables?

One of the biggest obstacles is when the child has not been shown in their own home to eat fruits and vegetables. Unfamiliar names and tastes sometimes steers them away from eating them.

What techniques have worked for you to get children to try a new fruit or vegetable?

You just need to keep offering them and for the most part they are willing to try. I eat the fruits and vegetables that I’m serving to show them that I enjoy these foods. I even show them how I continue to try the ones I don’t like too because tastes can change. We always say “you can’t say you don’t like it unless you try it.” I try to offer different fruits every day and I put them in a transparent container so they can see them and draw their attention to them. The children will be curious and ask me, “what is that?” and I say, “this is a banana or apple or melon.” Sometimes we melt cheese for a vegetable dip.

What has been your experience as a CACFP participant?

I have always cooked meals for myself and my child, (being a single parent). It was what I could afford to spend on healthy and nutritious foods for us. I feel that when you cook at home, the children are curious about it and like to help out. This, as everything else, is all part of us learning to grow. CACFP has many benefits for both the children and the child care provider. We learn about the importance of good nutrition and how to know more about children’s eating stages. I like CACFP because it helps me to offer the children good and balanced meals. I don’t have to worry about six kids bringing different lunches and asking parents to bring a healthy lunch for their child!

For more information on how easy it is to get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables visit www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org

Here are a few tips and charts from their website:

Remember that all forms of fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned, dried and 100% juice) count towards the recommended amount of servings per day. Fill about ½ of your plate with fruits and vegetables at meals.

Amounts of fruits and veggies that you need every day

Serving Example

Resources

Child and Adult Care Food Program

USDA Food and Nutriiton

Fruits & Veggies More Matters