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of Waterford Lakes

Healthy Meals & Nutrition

Healthy habits start early. Give your child the fuel they need to learn, grow, and thrive every day!

Healthy habits start early, and at Kids ‘R’ Kids Waterford Lakes, that includes what’s on their lunch plate. We believe food plays a major role in helping children grow, stay energized, and stay focused on learning. From breakfast through afternoon snacks, we’re focused on offering balanced, nutritious meals that fuel your child’s day in the best way possible.

Our approach combines the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal guidelines with the MyPlate nutrition framework, giving us a strong foundation for serving meals that support healthy development across all age groups.

What’s on the Menu: Following USDA CACFP Standards

The CACFP sets trusted nutrition standards for schools and childcare programs across the country. These guidelines help ensure that every meal we serve at Kids ‘R’ Kids Waterford Lakes meets key nutritional goals. Here’s what that looks like in action:

  • Emphasizing fruits and vegetables at every meal
  • Serving whole grains regularly
  • Including lean proteins and healthy alternatives
  • Offering low-fat or fat-free dairy options
  • Limiting added sugars, salt, and saturated fats

We’re intentional with every food choice. Whether it’s morning oatmeal with fruit or an afternoon snack of whole grain crackers and cheese, we make sure your child’s food is both nourishing and appetizing to a school aged child.

Using MyPlate as a Daily Guide

To bring balance to each meal, we use the MyPlate framework as a visual and practical guide. MyPlate encourages:

  • Filling half the plate with fruits and vegetables
  • Making at least half of all grain’s whole grains
  • Including a balance of protein and dairy
  • Watching portions to support healthy growth

It’s all about variety, color, and balance. A typical day might include a veggie-packed pasta at lunch, low-fat milk, and a side of fresh berries. Water is always available, and sugary drinks are kept to a minimum. We teach our students about this to make them feel like they have a choice over their food. We never want to restrict food, rather teach kids to be mindful of balance.

Bringing Healthy Habits Home

What kids eat outside of school matters too. That’s why we encourage families to continue these habits at home. Throughout the year, children will learn simple nutrition lessons and take part in activities that help build awareness around food and wellness. You can help reinforce these ideas in a few simple ways:

  • Offer a range of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins during meals and snacks
  • Keep healthy snack options on hand like yogurt, sliced veggies, or whole grain crackers
  • Make time to eat together when possible, even if it’s just one meal a day
  • Involve kids in meal prep to help them feel more engaged and curious about what they eat
  • Lastly, never feel like you have to deprive your kids of sweet treats and dessert as that can create an unhealthy relationship with food, too!

Why It Matters

Nutritious meals support far more than physical growth. They also promote brain development, attention span, and emotional regulation. Research shows that healthy eating during the early years lays the groundwork for lifelong wellness. At Kids ‘R’ Kids Waterford Lakes, we take that responsibility seriously and make it part of our daily routine.