Catering in child facilities is in need of improvement

Teaching nutritional basics in children and infants
The catering in day-care centers and other care facilities often does not meet the demands of a balanced diet. "Too much meat, too spicy, too much processed, too little fruit and vegetables, too few dairy products - so can currently describe the situation of catering in many children's facilities," the note to a seminar of the Academy of Sports, by he is recommended to German Society for Nutrition (DGE).

The Academy of Sports is offering an online seminar on daycare and crèches this coming Monday. In the DGE announcement, the seminar will focus on "the basics in the nutrition of children and infants (including peculiarities in the nursery area)" and the teaching of the "DGE quality standards for meals in daycare facilities for children". Also the way to an optimal meal plan should be pointed out (action planning, optimization of the meal plans, application of the DGE standards, feedback from parents, children and caregivers).

Healthy eating is especially important for children, but many childcare facilities have shortages. An online seminar informs about the basics of nutrition in children and the implementation of a healthy diet in childcare facilities. (Image: highwaystarz / fotolia.com)

Many obstacles to diet change
Important additional points in the offered online seminar are the successful cooperation with caterers and kindergarten kitchens as well as the successful work with parents. For all concerned, the creation of a child-friendly offer seems easier said than done so far, emphasizes the Academy of Sports. Thus, parents would fear a rise in prices, children losing their favorite foods, educators a boycott of their establishment, and food providers more time and planning. However, this need not be so.

Healthy food as a top priority
"Anyone who stays open and can see beyond the horizon will perceive the change as feasible and almost child's play," said the reference in the announcement to the online workshop "Catering for day-care centers and crèches". On the basis of a real case, the seminar will also show how nutrition can be changed in a child-friendly and needs-oriented manner. A goal that should be followed in principle, because the health of children should always have top priority. (Fp)