Special Concerns Related to Dietary Intake

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Snack Foods

Snack foods with low nutrient density become more popular as the child gets older. But how do you reduce the child's intake of these convenient snack foods? Avoiding these foods may be easier at the center than at home, if menus are used to promote a healthy diet and limits are placed on the use of these foods.

Very few commercially available snack foods start with wholesome ingredients. If they are high in nutrients, often they have taken a short cut by fortifying with a few missing nutrients. Consider serving whole foods such as fruits and vegetables with yogurt or sour cream dips, or look for whole grain snacks that provide some fiber along with the fat or sugar common in snack foods. Avoid hydrogenated fats (transfats) when possible. Judging whether a food should be served as a snack depends on whether the food:

1. Can be classified as part of the Food Guide Pyramid
2. Contains sufficient nutrients to justify the caloric value (i.e. nutrient dense). Usually whole grain ( if grain group), low in added sugar, low in saturated hydrogenated fat, and closer to the unprocessed whole food.
3. Will enhance the educational objectives of the food program at the center, for example, seasonal fruits to coincide with lesson plans.
4. Meets the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program guidelines for which foods are permissible in the food program. These guides offer an excellent source for determining whether a food is an acceptable part of the program. If all the required foods are consumed in addition to high-calorie snacks, and the child is not overweight, the child may simply need the extra energy for growth and physical activity.

Foods from the grain group provide the foundation for the diet. They present the easiest opportunity for selecting foods that are high in nutrients needed in the child's diet. However, using grain products with added sugar raises the energy value, thereby reducing the nutrient density. Convenience foods from the milk group are becoming more popular. Again, be wary of milk products that add excessive amounts of sugar and thereby reduce the amount of calcium available per calorie. Also, when fruits are added to yogurt, expect about 10 more grams of sugar per 4-ounce serving; however, some products, such as yogurt tubes, may exceed this amount because they are only 2 ounces per serving.

Fast Food

The question of whether to eat at fast-food establishments is often asked of nutritionists, especially when the preschool center wishes to take the children "down the street" for a hamburger and french fries. Most fast food establishments will provide complete listings of the nutrient composition of their foods. There are a few low-fat options now available, however "super-sizing" kids' meals or choosing adult-size meal packages can easily lead to overconsumption. Parents can keep serving sizes in a reasonable range by purchasing off the "ala carte" menu. Certainly an occasional meal from a fast-food establishment is not objectionable, but a diet composed primarily of these foods would be nutritionally limited.

Sweeteners

A question that you will be asked is, "Should I serve artificial sweeteners or sugar to preschoolers?" Nutritionists are often tempted to answer with a question, "Is either really necessary?" The relationship of sugar to dental caries is well documented. Otherwise, it is difficult to find extensive scientific literature indicating that consumption of table sugar per se is detrimental to health for the preschooler. Humans are born with a preference for sweet tastes, and sweet tastes are a source of pleasure for many. However, reduction of simple sugars may be advisable for treatment of diabetes, treatment and prevention of obesity, and prevention of dental caries. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest sugar should be used in moderation.