Fun Ideas To Help Introduce New Foods To Your Daycare

Sometimes we get very tired of preparing food because we keep doing the same things over and over. Trying new things not only gets our interest back up, but it gives the children who depend on us a wider range of good food experiences and accustoms them to accepting new things. A willingness to try foods, and to eat a varied diet helps to assure that the child will receive a proper share of all the nutrients necessary for good health. And that is what we’re all about!

Below are a few ideas that you may or may not have tried. (Please remember that most children don’t like new things the first time around, but have to be exposed at least three times and actively encouraged to try at least a bite.) You may have some ideas that work well for you that you would like to share with us — we’d be glad to hear them and before long, share them with other groups. Please share!

First, be sure that all breads used are whole grain or enriched, and that any flour you use in baking is also whole grain or enriched. And a wide variety of breads makes a more interesting experience for the children.

  1. A hamburger or hot dog bun with some of the bread removed from the center to make a boat container for the protein filling and served open face prevents the child from filling up on the bread before they get all their protein. Whole buns are often too large for small children to get into their mouths, and this is also true of french rolls.
  2. Use 1/2 sandwiches or 1/4’s — give a variety — a quarter of two different kinds — and keep them small for small hands to handle.
  3. Avoid crumbly fillings — they frustrate a child.
  4. Try ice cream cones (not the sugar ones!) with a filling of meat/meat alternate.
  5. Try spreading clean, dried lettuce leaves with peanut butter and rolling them up for snack.
  6. Chicken or tuna salad filling with finely chopped apples gives flavor and texture. A very little bit of cinnamon added to the salad dressing or mayonnaise with which they are mixed can be delicious.
  7. Peanut butter and mashed bananas are very popular with some children — you may want to try it, too!
  8. Peanut butter mixed with finely grated carrots — or with applesauce — or with pickle relish — or with finely chopped dill pickles — or chopped, dried fruits.
  9. Egg salad with finely chopped parsley — or finely chopped dill pickles — or olives (if you use green olives, omit any extra salt) — or chopped walnuts (if the children are old enough to handle nuts without choking).
  10. Egg salad with deviled ham — another place to leave out added salt: Green peppers that have been finely chopped are good also.
  11. Ripe avocado, mashed, lightly seasoned and spread on a sandwich with Jack cheese, or chicken or tuna salad.
  12. Chicken that is cooked, bonded and ground combined with minced celery, finely minced green pepper, or grated apple, or drained crushed pineapple, or chopped dried fruit.
  13. Corn tortillas rolled around Jack cheese, mashed beans and shredded lettuce — they don’t have to be crisped.
  14. Pita bread with ground beef flavored like taco mix or pizza — or with a tuna filling — or a mixture of cheese and meat vegetables. (Some call them Jaws sandwiches, or kangaroos).
  15. Surprises! Well, instead of thinking e have to have something sweet for special occasions for our children — and whether it’s made with sugar, honey or molasses it is all just sugar! — substitute interesting shapes and colors to make it a “special” day.

Faces cut out of slices of cheese with raisins for eyes or sandwiches cut with cookie cutters into the shape of animals are not only better for the children, they are less work and can fit right into the required meal pattern.

Bright paper napkins and plates on these special days or place mats that the children have colored with crayons or water paints make it so special that they aren’t going to miss the gooey desserts and it gives them a chance to participate, too!