How Do You Not Let Throwing Food Away Bother You?

[crazydaycarelady]

I use insulated cups so if they don't finish their milk they get it back again at the next meal/snack. I do make them finish their milk before they day is over.

As far as food I don't mix the menu up too much. It seems like the more effort I put into a meal the less likely they are to eat it. We have the same few things over and over but that is because it is things I know they will eat. I hate offering food, they don't eat it, then complain that they are hungry. I'd rather serve the same few things over and over so at least they don't go home hungry.

[MyAngels]

I get very tempted to go off the food program and just serve junk.

There are plenty of choices that are acceptable on the food program that are junk - things like poptarts and such - so you could conceivably still be on the program and serve mostly junk. I'm just sayin'...

[Heidi]

See Blackcat, I think thats where ALL the confusion comes in. When I think of carbs I'm thinking of the actual bread, pasta, cracker, etc. type of carb. I wouldn't even think of fruit/veggies having carbs let alone being bad for me.

So here's what I don't get. When you on a weight lose program they push the fruit/veggies, so why would they do that if they aren't as good for you? Maybe thats why I put all that weight on when I was trying to lose as I ate ton's of fruit/veggies.

Bad carbs basically=anything "white". White flour (even enriched), white pasta, white rice, white sugar. Those should be eaten in moderation, and by moderation it means really quite little.

Good carbs are whole grains (and "whole grain white doesn't count), low-sugar cereals, whole wheat bread (or other whole grains).

When they say "lots of fruits and vegies", technically it should be LOTS of vegies and SOME fruits, and fruit juice only occasionally.

[e.j.]

This is how I think of it too. The only frustration I have is when they whine or gag when I have them try one bite of food. The dramatics are annoying, but I can say that for any time during the day when they become overly dramatic.

I encourage the kids to try foods but I don't ask them to take one bite of everything. To me, my job is to provide the food; their job is to eat it - or not. If they start to whine, I tell them. "Eat what you like; don't eat what you don't like." It quiets them down in a hurry. Once they realize eating or not eating is their choice to make, the need for drama is gone. They don't get upset and neither do I. They learn pretty fast that they don't have to eat but that I also won't give them substitutions. I saw a sign on Pinterest once that said, "Today's Menu: Eat it or starve". It's pretty much become my philosophy when feeding kids.

[Country Kids]

Todays menu: cheese stick, 1/2 mini blueberry bagel,1/2 banana, 1/2 corn on the cob.

1-ate everything but the corn-stuck the lip out
drank milk


2-ate everything but part of the banana
drank milk

3-ate 1/2 bagel and banana
no corn or cheese stick
drank no milk

4-nibbled on everything but didn't really eat
drank only a little milk

So I'm not giving up by I can't put my heart and soul into the making of great food if they aren't going to even eat this typ of meal.

I know that I get reimbursed or however you want to put it but it just saddens me that these kids won't eat wholesome great food.

[Heidi]

Todays menu: cheese stick, 1/2 mini blueberry bagel,1/2 banana, 1/2 corn on the cob.

1-ate everything but the corn-stuck the lip out
drank milk


2-ate everything but part of the banana
drank milk

3-ate 1/2 bagel and banana
no corn or cheese stick
drank no milk

4-nibbled on everything but didn't really eat
drank only a little milk

So I'm not giving up by I can't put my heart and soul into the making of great food if they aren't going to even eat this typ of meal.

I know that I get reimbursed or however you want to put it but it just saddens me that these kids won't eat wholesome great food.

HEY! Just as an experiment, serve the following for PM snack:

cheese stick, 1/2 mini blueberry bagel,1/2 banana, 1/2 corn on the cob, milk.


See what happens. If anyone asks, just say "well, we had so much left over from lunch, I thought we'd eat it for snack!" Big smile!

report back on that....

[Heidi]

Girls,
stop paying attention, It will drive you crazy. You will start to resent the children. If you are recieving subsidies, you didn't pay for the food anyway. For the parents that are concerned about their childs eating habits. Very tactfully explain that you do not force children to eat. It is against all regulations to force or withhold food. There is simply no seconds until the plate is clean. Sometimes (probably every time) they are going to go home hungry. You will have parents who ask you to supplement their childs meal with say hot dogs because it is all they will eat. Very tactfully explain, This is a child care home not a restaurant. you do not have the time or income to prepare individual meals. It also is not fair to the other children in your care. If that parent brings food from home (and they will) explain that it must be enough for all the children. It must meet nutrional guidelines or they can not have it. It took me over twenty years to follow my own advice. However, it only takes one nuerotic parent to send me down crazy lane again. So just accept it and move on. I promise the sun will shine tomorrow. You will have the occasional parent that will not accept these rules and will leave. I feel sorry for them. You are a good and competant provider, and you deserve respect. Apoligize for not being able to meet their needs, and wish them luck in finding a provider they will be more comfortable with.

Lol...love the crazy lane comment!

[Country Kids]

HEY! Just as an experiment, serve the following for PM snack:

cheese stick, 1/2 mini blueberry bagel,1/2 banana, 1/2 corn on the cob, milk.


See what happens. If anyone asks, just say "well, we had so much left over from lunch, I thought we'd eat it for snack!" Big smile!

report back on that....

The two of the ones that didn't eat much will be gone by afternoon snack. That only leaves the one that ate everything and the other one. No sense punishing the one that ate so well.

[Heidi]

The two of the ones that didn't eat much will be gone by afternoon snack. That only leaves the one that ate everything and the other one. No sense punishing the one that ate so well.

IT'S NOT A PUNISHMENT!!!!!!!! sorry to yell......but YOU ARE GIVING THEM NUTRITIOUS, DELICIOUS FOOD. THAT IS NOT A PUNISHMENT! IT IS A GIFT!

[Angelsj]

What are you referring to when you say carbs? Are you talking about grains? Which are absolutely necessary for healthy digestion, energy and overall health or are you talking about carbs as in carbohydrates?

ALL fruit and veggies have carbs in them. The lunch with grapes, oranges, meatballs with milk has so many carbs in it that as a diabetic, my DH would have had to taken a rather large insulin shot to counteract all the carbs.

The meatballs and milk would have been a much healthier meal if it had included veggies instead of fruit which is loaded with sugar carbs. The carbs from fruit are much better than sugar carbs from candy and junk food but no where near as beneficial as the carbs you get from whole grains.

The snack with apple juice and animal crackers IMPO, has very little nutrients but ALOT of carbs, unless the animal crackers were whole grain and the apple juice was an actual apple instead so I guess I am just confused as to the carb comments. :confused:

Whole grains are vital to digestion and processing of other foods, protiens and other nutrients in our bodies. Skipping those grains is not healthy.

I understand what carbs are, but in this case I was referring to the constant intake of grains. This country in general has a ridiculous obsession with grains, whole or otherwise. We do eat healthy whole grains, but limited on the white bread/spaghetti type stuff.

The food programs are totally ok with you serving spaghetti, sauce and garlic bread with a single fruit, such as grapes. Too many grains, (healthy or otherwise, and I am not sure I agree "whole grain'" equates "healthy")

What I gave was just an example of variety the food program would not be pleased with, when it actually does fine, in an overall healthy diet. Kids who eat here regularly get sick much less than kids who eat mostly the school provided meals (also run by USDA recommendations.)
If they are eating lots of good healthy veggies, fruits and basic meats, a little grain source (animal crackers) isn't going to do any harm.
Many of my kiddos also refuse liquid milk altogether, but will eat cheese, yogurt, etc. To me it makes more sense to give them a dairy source they will eat, and not toss milk down the drain.

[SunshineMama]

I've tried to not let it bother me but oh my gosh, I just can't get over how much food I throw away each and every day.

Today-cheese quesidillas, salad (cucumbers, tomatos, green pepper, carrots) and peaches.

1. ate quesidillas, peaches, drank 1/2 cup of milk

2. Same thing, drank no milk

3.Would take a nibble of a peach slice, put it back down, and do the same to each peach slice. Did not eat a whole slice at all and ate nothing else. Drank their milk.

So I'm throwing this all away now. Also, they drink nothing all day long. No water or milk. They don't even ask for it or take when offered. I get very tempted to go off the food program and just serve junk. Then I know at least they will be eating.

I have a friend who has a childcare. One of the kids cries everyday no matter what they are eating.

I have started serving veggies first, very slowly. Then when they are done with those I give them the next food, and the next. I was so sick of wasting food that I serve it one at a time. It has helped a lot! And they eat healthier.

[Country Kids]

I have started serving veggies first, very slowly. Then when they are done with those I give them the next food, and the next. I was so sick of wasting food that I serve it one at a time. It has helped a lot! And they eat healthier.

You know I used to do that and I think its time I go back to it. Thanks for the reminder.

Do you ever get a child though that won't eat the veggies?

[SunshineMama]

You know I used to do that and I think its time I go back to it. Thanks for the reminder.

Do you ever get a child though that won't eat the veggies?

Sometimes I will get a child who won't eat veggies, and I enlist the 2 bite rule. Most of the kids just eat the veggies and move on, but the 2 bite rule works for the non-veggie eaters. I have not had a child not take the 2 bites yet, but I'm sure someone has come across that.

I also make a BIG deal about eating veggies. We all show our muscles and talk about how veggies make you fast and strong. When a toddler doesnt want their veggies I do reverse psychology and say, "Good. Don't eat them because veggies make you fast and strong and I don't want you to be faster than me! I want to be the fastest." They usually ask for extra to eat after that .

[My3cents]

have not read the other responses so I am probably going to be a repeat.

Cut down on what you give them.

You have to have certain amounts of food available to them, and offer but if they refuse it you don't have to give it to them.

I don't have this problem. I have good eaters. I serve a variety of foods and I never force a child to eat. All my kids go for 2nds and eat veggies and fruits, not junk.

My parents are amazed at what the kids eat here.

Best-

[My3cents]

Girls,
stop paying attention, It will drive you crazy. You will start to resent the children. If you are recieving subsidies, you didn't pay for the food anyway. For the parents that are concerned about their childs eating habits. Very tactfully explain that you do not force children to eat. It is against all regulations to force or withhold food. There is simply no seconds until the plate is clean. Sometimes (probably every time) they are going to go home hungry. You will have parents who ask you to supplement their childs meal with say hot dogs because it is all they will eat. Very tactfully explain, This is a child care home not a restaurant. you do not have the time or income to prepare individual meals. It also is not fair to the other children in your care. If that parent brings food from home (and they will) explain that it must be enough for all the children. It must meet nutrional guidelines or they can not have it. It took me over twenty years to follow my own advice. However, it only takes one nuerotic parent to send me down crazy lane again. So just accept it and move on. I promise the sun will shine tomorrow. You will have the occasional parent that will not accept these rules and will leave. I feel sorry for them. You are a good and competant provider, and you deserve respect. Apoligize for not being able to meet their needs, and wish them luck in finding a provider they will be more comfortable with.

Subsidies don't cover the amount of food that I buy. They don't try to cover your total food expenses. It is to help you, and make you accountable for good nutrition, or better nutrition then a provider that serves junk. I wish the food program offered more information on nutrition and recipes then being more of a police on making sure your not cheating the program. For me, my food program does a pretty good job but I have heard stories here and everywhere of not so good food programs.

having set meals and not offering other choices all through your day is best. Kids will easy pick up on I didn't eat my carrots but I know she will give me apple sauce. If a child is hungry enough the child will eat. I also feels kids will eat if they see other kids and yourself eating healthy foods. You will know when a child truly does not like an item, verses doesn't like trying an item. I don't force, but I don't keep an open restaurant going either. I have a hubby who will eat left overs for his lunch, or snack so food waste is not a problem for me.

When I was in school, I was one of those wasters because the food was horrible. I had parents that were serving good healthy food at home and at school it was processed junk. Never liked milk and would gag on it, and they would make you go back to your seat and drink it or feel bad for wasting it. Juice was not an alternative or water, or putting your full milk carton back. I still hate milk to drink. I was not being a difficult kid. The clean plate club was also a big deal as a kid, they don't recommend this method anymore, because it causes obese children. It is my job to serve it and it is the child's job to decide if they want to eat it or not, even if they chose to eat nothing at all.

I was the baby that threw up her bottle and now I know why. Lactose intolerant. I love ice cream but it doesn't like me. Sometimes I suffer and sometimes I just know better then to do it. Milk plain- no way, makes me gag. Amazing what they know now that they did not know years ago.

I am enjoying this thread-