Nutrition

Intentional Nourishment

Providing children with nourishing meals is a key component of quality care here at Wholesome Beginnings. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sets the standards that provide balanced and healthy meals for children. Meals are homemade and routinely exceed food program requirements adding both variety, flavors and volume to children's plates. There is a lot of intention brought into what children are served.

We start our meal together with a sense of community, acknowledging that we get to share a meal with our friends. We also pause to show gratitude for the hands that helped create our meal, . This often leads to purposeful discussions about how our food got to the table: farm, transportation, store, stove, plate. All meals will be shared together while enjoying conversation and the company of each other!

Children having lunch outdoors at a table.

St. Patrick's Day taste test with food and rating sheet.

Exceeding Requirements

Sauces

Many of the sauces children enjoy are homemade. This helps keep quality ingredients in children's food.

Examples: teriyaki, orange sauce, curry, dahl, spaghetti sauce, pesto.

Protein Rich Breakfast

I like to 'sneak' extra protein into children's breakfast to give them a nutrition boost to start their day.

Eamples: extra eggs in french toast batter, protein powder in smoothies, whole wheat baked goods, homemade granola with very finely chopped nuts. .

Reduced Added Sugar

Homemade quick breads are routinely sweetened with natural sugars.

Examples: honey, maple syrup, banana, dates

Flavored yogurt is mixed with plain to reduce sugar per serving.

Note: We still indulge in a sweet treat every now and again. I like to keep in mind the value of moderation! Birthdays are also celebrated with a homemade 'healthy version' treat chosen by the child.