Many families depend on Early Years services to provide their children with nutritious and delicious meals. Therefore, promoting healthy eating habits among children in line with TUSLA guidelines plays a pivotal role. Here are three essential tips for promoting a culture of healthy eating in your service.

1. Create Nutritious Menus:

 TUSLA regulations emphasise the importance of providing well balanced and nutritious meals to support the growth and development of young children. Childcare providers should aim to create menus that include a variety of food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products. A “rainbow” of colours in meals ensures a diverse range of vitamins and minerals, contributing to overall health. Additionally, being mindful of portion sizes and avoiding excessive sugary or processed foods helps instil healthy eating habits from an early age.

2. Encourage Positive Mealtime Environments:

Mealtime is not just about eating; it is an opportunity for social interaction, learning, and the development of lifelong eating habits. Childcare providers should create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere during meals, encouraging children to explore new foods and engage in conversations with peers. Encourage children to serve themselves with appropriate supervision, as this helps promoting their independence and a sense of responsibility. Furthermore, avoiding the use of food as a reward or punishment helps cultivate a positive relationship with nutrition.

3. Promote Hydration and Healthy Snacks:
Adequate hydration is also crucial for the children's wellbeing, and TUSLA regulations highlight the importance of providing access to water throughout the day. Early Years Educators should encourage regular water breaks and ensure that water is readily available to all children. Additionally, when it comes to snacks, focus on offering healthy options such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. It is also important to share your Healthy Eating Policy with families as well as healthy options for snack lunches. This can help educate both children and parents on the benefits of nutritious snacks.
Implementing these tips is easy with our Meal Planning and Healthy Eating Pack. It gives you great tools to help fulfil this important function including a Healthy Eating Policy document that you can customise for your service. It contains 32 great recipes and 13 sample weekly menu plans.
Canavan Byrne commissioned Sarah Keogh to develop meal plans and recipes for the early years sector and are included in this pack. Sarah is the founder of Eatwell and has over 20 years’ experience working in nutrition and dietetics. Sarah has a Human Nutrition and Dietetics degree from Trinity College, Dublin and a Masters Degree in European Food Regulation. Sarah works with food companies on food legislation and product development as well as delivering workplace wellness sessions and nutrition courses. 
All of the recipes and menus included contain important reminders about potential allergens and how to ensure you are using the healthiest ingredients.
Get Yours Today: 
https://earlyyearsshop.ie/product/meal-planning-and-healthy-eating-pack/