Every kid in daycare needs regular healthy meals, snacks, and fluids (drinks). Promoting children’s health is an essential aspect of good quality childcare. Children in care must be provided nutritious meals and enjoy positive mealtime experiences. Research has shown that some children in care might not obtain enough of some essential dietary nutrients.
Regardless of whether food is provided, all childcare services are responsible for promoting good nutrition for children in their care. Childcare centers and all staff should be familiar with hygiene standards, child nutrition guidelines, and food safety rules.
Here are 5 of the benefits of healthy meals in daycare schools:
1. A Healthy Body Weight
Although everyone's ideal body weight is different, eating nutritious foods lends itself to appetite control, making it simpler for your child to maintain his suggested weight range.
Eating primarily low-nutrient processed fare was linked with obesity development at mid-childhood. Rather than focus on weight with your child, which can fuel poor body image and unhealthy eating habits, cultivate health-promoting habits for your whole family. Make healthy foods accessible and look for fun ways to include them in meals and snacks.
2. Brain Development
A healthy diet has a direct impact on a child's ability to develop their brain. For instance, a child may experience both cognitive and motor development delays if she does not consume enough iron and iodine. A child who consumes insufficient amounts of the important fatty acid DHA might experience delays in learning and development.