In a recently-released report, the Institute of Medicine called for healthier meals for kids in day care facilities. 

Currently, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines are established from standards that are almost 20 years old and, as a result, are out of sync with current healthy-eating ideals. The Institute of Medicine's report calls for more fruits and vegetables and less fat, salt and sugar in meals. 

CACFP helps supply healthy meals to family day care homes, child-care and after-school centers, adult care programs and emergency shelters.There are currently about 3 million needy children that rely on CACFP for meals and snacks.  

The new report is calling for the following to be placed into the new guidelines for healthier meals:
  • One serving of fruit and two servings of vegetables in each meal.
  • More dark green and orange vegetables.
  • Fewer starchy vegetables.
  • No fried vegetables.
  • 100 percent fruit juice with no added sugar.
  • No juices to kids under 1 year and only one serving a day for older kids and adults.
  • 50 percent of grains as whole grains.
  • Only one serving a week of baked or fried grains high in fat and sugar.
  • Limited use of salt, saturated fat, trans fat and added sugars.
  • Lean meats.
  • More soy, beans, eggs, nuts and other meat alternatives.
  • For infants, only breast milk or formula until 6 months old.
  • Whole milk for children until 2 years of age.
  • Low-fat milk (1 percent) for those over 2 years of age.
With these new recommendations, the cost of feeding children could increase by almost 44 percent. However, the Institute of Medicine hopes in the long run these changes could cut back on healthcare expenses in the future.

Visit Health Day for more on this article.

Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture for more information on a healthier diet.

How have you helped create healthier eating habits for your family without putting a strain on your budget?




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