We recognise that a nutritious and balanced diet also helps set the foundations for lifelong food preferences – making it vital that children eat well during this period.
Despite this, evidence suggests that the diets of under 5s in the UK are often low in fibre and key vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin D and iron) and too high in added sugars and salt. As a result, one in five children in the UK currently start school overweight or obese.
Children in full childcare can receive up to 90% of their daily food intake from nursery food, so parents need to be assured that their children are being provided with healthy, balanced food that fulfils all of their nutrient requirements.
THE GOOD FOOD GUARANTEE
A balanced and nutritional diet is vital, so providing our meals for children at a early age encourages good eating habits and lifelong food preferences
Many under 5’s receive too much salt and added sugars in there diets resulting in Five children in the UK start school overweight or obese,
Nursery children receive the majority of their daily food intake at nursery, so parents can rest assured we are providing their children with a healthy balanced diet.
WE USE
We use a wide range of ingredients and flavours combined with our locally sourced meat and seasonal ingredients. Our meals aim to give the children a meal that they may not normally come into contact with outside of nursery. This helps children develop the sensitivity for different foods.
WE CREATE
We create a range of Menu’s and dishes to cover all dietary requirements. Ensuring all children are catered for and receive a balanced meal regardless of cultural or medical limitations
WE AIM
Our Mission is to encourage children to eat healthy whilst also gaining the knowledge of food from different origins. We also want the children in your setting to look forward to meal times and a joyful part of there day at nursery
WE COMBINE
With over 25 years of catering knowledge with chefs from all different backgrounds with staff from early years backgrounds, to give children exciting and varied menus with healthy and balanced diet at the the forefront of our operation.
WE CONTINUE
To provide children with meals that are low in salt and added sugar, but also with the right balance for the high energy environment of pre-school.
WE FOLLOW
The ‘Eat Better, Start Better’ Guide when formulating our menus, to ensure we meet the required standards set out by the Early Years Foundation Stage.
WE KEEP
Up to date with current food trends as well as mixing in some more classic dishes. These dishes include the nutritional requirements a early years child needs for there development.
WHAT DOES NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED ACTUALLY MEAN?
In accordance with the Eat Better Start Better guidelines, we serve the following for lunch:
• Both a main course and a dessert (fruit, cereal or milk-based) each day
• Limited amounts of foods high in NME sugars (added sugars, plus those naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices)
• Only one portion of ready-made sauces / gravy granules each week
• No added salt
Starchy Foods
1 portion of starchy foods – such as bread, rice, pasta and potatoes – each day
3 different types of starchy foods provided across each week
Wholegrains (i.e. brown rice/pasta/bread) provided at least once a week
Milk & Dairy
1 dairy product – including milk, cheese, yoghurts, fromage frais, milk-based sauces, custard and puddings made from milk – each day.
Butter and cream are not included in this group.
Fruits & Vegetables
1 portion of fruits and/or vegetables – a colourful variety (including fresh, frozen, canned in natural juice and dried) to provide a range of essential nutrients – each day.
Potatoes are classed as a starchy food and are therefore not included in this group.
Protein
1 source of protein – a variety of meat, fish, cheese, eggs, beans, pulses & meat alternatives – each day.
Meat products (such as sausages & meatballs) no more than once a week. A variety of meat, fish & meat alternatives across the week.
Oily fish at least once every 3 weeks. One vegetarian lunch provided each week.
Perfect Portions for little tums
Eat Better start Better guidelines early years was developed following recommendations for food and nutrition in early years and was produced to support early years settings in England to meet the nutritional requirements of children and encourage them to eat well with and providing the right quantity of healthy foods through the importance of menu planning containing portion size energy -dense foods and packed with nutrients each week to help them grow ,develop and be healthy. We base our meals on higher fibre starchy carbohydrates, lots of fruit and veg, eat more fish including 1 portion of oily fish, cut down on saturated fat and sugar, eat less salt and get active and be healthy
Portion control is the number of portions of each food group children are advised to eat.
5 portions of starchy foods.
5 or more portions of fruit and vegetables
3 portions of dairy foods
2 portions of protein foods or three if a child is vegetarian
THE HUNGRYMOOSE PROMISE
Our food is prepared on site and fresh by our team of chefs who develop our menus for pre-school children. Our recipes are designed to ensure the meals we deliver meet the required nutritional values need in pre-school students
Specialist Diets
We cater for all dietary needs whether it be intolerance, cultural or just personal choice
Food Safety
We pride ourselves on our food safety standards, ensuring the highest quality of food safety, quality and hygiene are adhered to at all times.
PUDDING POLICY
Children during early years require vitamins A,B,C,D,E and K minerals like calcium, iron, iodine and zinc.
The best way for your child to get these is by eating enough vitamins and minerals by eating a wide variety of foods from the five healthy food groups. If children don’t get enough vitamins or minerals this could lead to growth and development problems. Pre school early years children need more nutrients and calories as their body needs more body fats every day than adults due to their higher activity levels, rapid rate of growth and bone development.
The voluntary food and drinks guidelines for early years food policy helps staff, parents ,carers and children understand the settings key aims on food and drink provision 2012 that non milk -extrinsic sugars often added to foods and beverages during processing.
We follow these guidelines providing desserts, puddings and cakes made with cereals such as rice or oats milk and fruit can be included as part of a healthy ,balanced energy diet for young children.They can provide essential nutrients such as iron, vitamins ,minerals and calcium.
What puddings are suitable ie fruit in any form, plain yogurt, dairy and fruit based desserts with no added sugar we take every measure incorporating this in our weekly and daily menus
Where we stick to guidelines and limit the amount of sugary foods on offer, we focus on fruit and milk based desserts to ensure plenty of energy and nutrients for children.
Health benefits of desserts
Desserts are packed with nutrients
Eating a dessert can limit your sugar, fat intake and improve weight control
Desserts can incorporate more fruit into your childs diet.
We at HungryMoose catering believe everything should be in moderation at an early age with a well balanced diet that it is important to help set healthy eating habits from an early age from the start leading to more nutritional understanding later in life.
*Please note, guidance given for children between birth and 12months differs from the guidance given for children aged between 1 and 5. We can supply fruit only upon request and our chefs will freshly make each morning fruit purees as required.
TRY IT FOR FREE!
Like what you see, seen our daily blog photos of the food that's gone out each day, still not convinced? The best thing to so next is call or email us and book in your free taster session where we bring a portion of that days food you to try for yourself and be wowed!