New Food Program Regs Cracking Me Up...

[hwichlaz]

I like most of the meal pattern changes and they won't really change how I do things anyway...since I've always done 100% whole grains etc.

I love that we'll be able to sub a protien for the grain for breakfast up to three times a week...and that solids are optional of all infants. I've thrown away a lot of baby food just letting them play in it because they aren't ready to eat it. :P

But the one that's cracking me up...when you make a fruit yogurt smoothie.....the fruit counts as juice. It doesn't matter that it's whole fruit...they are saying that as soon as it hits the blender it's juice.

Sometimes you just HAVE to laugh so your eyes don't roll out of your head and on to the floor.

[AmyKidsCo]

Yes, and you can't count the yogurt because drinkable yogurt isn't reimbursable. Even if it's regular yogurt you blend...

[hwichlaz]

Originally Posted by AmyKidsCo

Yes, and you can't count the yogurt because drinkable yogurt isn't reimbursable. Even if it's regular yogurt you blend...

We were told that the yogurt still counts in a smoothie. BUT it has to be under 23g of sugar per 6 ounces. Drinkable yogurts DO count, but only if they have a CN label...which none do. :P

[Mom2Two]

Originally Posted by hwichlaz

But the one that's cracking me up...when you make a fruit yogurt smoothie.....the fruit counts as juice. It doesn't matter that it's whole fruit...they are saying that as soon as it hits the blender it's juice.

ITA that they're mostly good (I just did my training on the new regs last week), but I have smoothie issues too. In the end our nutritionist agreed that if we had recipes with specific ingredients and quantities that we could demonstrate if needed that we'd be okay. I think I'll have to put it in pitchers though and let them do family style, coz I want to be able to use left overs for my own family.

I didn't hear the one about the fruit counting as juice. That sounds so silly!

I don't like that we can't count graham crackers or animal crackers. They're not THAT sweet.

[hwichlaz]

Originally Posted by Mom2Two

I don't like that we can't count graham crackers or animal crackers. They're not THAT sweet.

Right? especially if they are regular graham crackers, not the honey added type. We were told if we put peanutbutter on them and give the kids a piece of fruit we're still good...because we still have two snack components that way. But no more just graham crackers and milk.

[sahm1225]

Ours said we have to serve a fruit AND a vegetable. I don't do fruits with lunch, just double vegetables and my rep said I won't be able to do that anymore. Thaf just sucks!!

[hwichlaz]

Originally Posted by sahm1225

Ours said we have to serve a fruit AND a vegetable. I don't do fruits with lunch, just double vegetables and my rep said I won't be able to do that anymore. Thaf just sucks!!

She mispoke, and may be missinformed. Ours always shows us the regs as written. It's you may only get credit for one fruit...not that you have to serve one fruit. Our new menu plan says Milk, Meat/Alternate, Fruit/Vegetable, Vegetable, Whole Grain.

You used to be allowed to serve two fruits, which is really common where I live in the summer because we have so many fresh fruits available. But now you have to serve at least one serving of veggie at lunch and dinner. The other CAN be fruit, but doesn't have to be.

[Fiddlesticks]

Originally Posted by hwichlaz

I like most of the meal pattern changes and they won't really change how I do things anyway...since I've always done 100% whole grains etc.

I love that we'll be able to sub a protien for the grain for breakfast up to three times a week...and that solids are optional of all infants. I've thrown away a lot of baby food just letting them play in it because they aren't ready to eat it. :P

But the one that's cracking me up...when you make a fruit yogurt smoothie.....the fruit counts as juice. It doesn't matter that it's whole fruit...they are saying that as soon as it hits the blender it's juice.

Sometimes you just HAVE to laugh so your eyes don't roll out of your head and on to the floor.

I would just claim the ingredients. If you are blending fresh strawberries and yogurt that is what I would list as being served.

The one I roll my eyes at is that yogurt that has been frozen must be thawed before serving. It is a moot point now, as Gogurts are no longer creditable and those are the only type I would serve frozen, but what is the difference between yogurt that is in a frozen state vs. a thawed state? They know yogurt that is put in the freezer is not the same as 'frozen yogurt' that is really ice cream, right? I serve the children frozen blueberries and peas, also, should I thaw them now because they are somehow different?

[hwichlaz]

I think that might be another missinterpretation by your program.

We went over the yogurt you've placed in the freezer vs frozen yogurt thing too, lol. I make yogurt pops for the kids in summer.

[hwichlaz]

Oh, and we can use tofu as a meat alternate starting in october....but only if it's recognizable to the children as a meat. No tofu noodles, no pureeing it and mixing it into something etc. It has to stay formed. We can slice it up and stire fry it, bake it etc.....but not disguise it.

[daycarediva]

Originally Posted by Fiddlesticks

I would just claim the ingredients. If you are blending fresh strawberries and yogurt that is what I would list as being served.

The one I roll my eyes at is that yogurt that has been frozen must be thawed before serving. It is a moot point now, as Gogurts are no longer creditable and those are the only type I would serve frozen, but what is the difference between yogurt that is in a frozen state vs. a thawed state? They know yogurt that is put in the freezer is not the same as 'frozen yogurt' that is really ice cream, right? I serve the children frozen blueberries and peas, also, should I thaw them now because they are somehow different?

My rep said the same thing. Count the ingredients, make sure it's a big enough serving size, and you're fine.

The frozen yogurt thing she said they may ask to look in the freezer bc some providers were serving frozen DESSERT yogurt as 'yogurt, frozen' but she said to go ahead and still give them yogurt that has been frozen.

I love the breakfast protein thing! I am all whole wheat anyway, so that didn't affect me.

[Mom2Two]

Originally Posted by sahm1225

Ours said we have to serve a fruit AND a vegetable. I don't do fruits with lunch, just double vegetables and my rep said I won't be able to do that anymore. Thaf just sucks!!

Yeah, like hwichlaz said, we were told two vegies is okay. Just not two fruits.

I just made smoothies for PM snack. I'm trying to practice up for Oct 1st I did three apples, 6-8 oz plain yogurt, a tray of ice cubes, and some juice for sweetner. So that's two food groups and it was for five kids. I gave the kids the portions I think they'd like in a straw cup (they're watching Airbud after gardening hard all afternoon), then I put about 16 oz into a covered pitcher on the table with little cups so they can help themselves if they want more. But I'll be surprised if they do.

PM snack says 1/2 cup fruit and 1/2 oz meat alternate, so I'm covered, right?

The main difference between today's smoothie and my regular one is that I used plain yogurt + juice as a sweetener instead of using vanilla yogurt.

[lovemykidstoo]

About the fruit that counts as a fruit until you put it in a blender. I as doing Weight Watchers last year and you go by point system. I get 26 points a day. Fruit by itself in it's natural form was 0 points. Put it in a blender and it was like 1 or 2 points. The reason they said that when you puree it, the body digests it more as sugar or something or other. I can't remember exactly, but it was like if they ate it in regular form, it took the body longer to digest the natural sugar portion and in a smoothie it all hit the body at once.

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by sahm1225

Ours said we have to serve a fruit AND a vegetable. I don't do fruits with lunch, just double vegetables and my rep said I won't be able to do that anymore. Thaf just sucks!!

Yes, I agree with the other ladies... double check because I never serve fruit for lunch either and I had a hissy when I thought I could no longer serve 2 veggies and be credible but you CAN serve 2 veggies and 0 fruit but you can NOT serve 2 fruits and 0 veggies.

*whew*

My kiddos are veggie hounds!!

[Laurie]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

Yes, I agree with the other ladies... double check because I never serve fruit for lunch either and I had a hissy when I thought I could no longer serve 2 veggies and be credible but you CAN serve 2 veggies and 0 fruit but you can NOT serve 2 fruits and 0 veggies.

*whew*

My kiddos are veggie hounds!!

That's so good!! I can't get my kids to eat veggies I've seriously tried everything I can think of and they just won't eat them..

[Max]

Are there any weird/special rules around juicing? It removes the pulp but I like to reuse the pulp in other dishes.

[hwichlaz]

Originally Posted by Max

Are there any weird/special rules around juicing? It removes the pulp but I like to reuse the pulp in other dishes.

Just no more than one serving of juice per day.

[Laurie]

It's interesting to me they allow juice. Just last night I saw on the news how their now saying no juice for kids under 6yrs. They say it's milk is better for the kids. It was said by someone, but I can't remember now! I'll try to google it.
I personally have never given juice to my kids. I've always felt milk was a better choice.

[Laurie]

Found it!!
http://www.latimes.com/science/scien...htmlstory.html

[hwichlaz]

They are discouraging any juice at all, but allowing it still.

Water is supposed to be the only beverage between meals.

[Laurie]

My kids love water! I serve milk with every meal, but they ask for water. of course they don't get it during meals. I always have water for them between meals.

[hwichlaz]

Originally Posted by Laurie

My kids love water! I serve milk with every meal, but they ask for water. of course they don't get it during meals. I always have water for them between meals.

That'd get me in trouble. I have to allow water when they ask for it. So they can have two cups at lunch if they ask. One water, one milk.

[Max]

I'm not talking about store-bought juice, but juice derived from a home juicer. Very different and much healthier. I suppose the FP would view it just the same though? If so, that's really annoying!

[flying_babyb]

Originally Posted by hwichlaz

Right? especially if they are regular graham crackers, not the honey added type. We were told if we put peanutbutter on them and give the kids a piece of fruit we're still good...because we still have two snack components that way. But no more just graham crackers and milk.

Wait! thats not countable? My center counts it all the time!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

Yes, I agree with the other ladies... double check because I never serve fruit for lunch either and I had a hissy when I thought I could no longer serve 2 veggies and be credible but you CAN serve 2 veggies and 0 fruit but you can NOT serve 2 fruits and 0 veggies.

*whew*

My kiddos are veggie hounds!!

This is really good to know.
I have a few kids that joined my program in the last 6-8 months who only eat the fruit at lunch. So, now I want to do away with the fruit so that isn't an option for satisfying a hungry tummy. Eat the yummy food that was made, buddies!

I think I'll switch over to one fruit, SOMETIMES, at PM snack beyond the breakfast fruit.

[284878]

Originally Posted by Laurie

It's interesting to me they allow juice. Just last night I saw on the news how their now saying no juice for kids under 6yrs. They say it's milk is better for the kids. It was said by someone, but I can't remember now! I'll try to google it.
I personally have never given juice to my kids. I've always felt milk was a better choice.

My DD only got juice because WIC provided it. I asked for more produce instead and they said no, it don't work that way. She got very little of it and not until she was three. Now we are off WIC she won't get any, until the school gives her some next year. Ugh.

[284878]

Originally Posted by hwichlaz

Right? especially if they are regular graham crackers, not the honey added type. We were told if we put peanutbutter on them and give the kids a piece of fruit we're still good...because we still have two snack components that way. But no more just graham crackers and milk.

Most crackers and cereal that a have honey in the title, do not have any honey. It is added sugar instead.

[Blackcat31]

Just in case anyone needs/wants to compare old and new food program changes; here are sheets for both infant meal and child meal pattern requirements

Infant

Child & Adult

[sharlan]

Thank you for sharing.

[daycarediva]

Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist

This is really good to know.
I have a few kids that joined my program in the last 6-8 months who only eat the fruit at lunch. So, now I want to do away with the fruit so that isn't an option for satisfying a hungry tummy. Eat the yummy food that was made, buddies!

I think I'll switch over to one fruit, SOMETIMES, at PM snack beyond the breakfast fruit.

Was just doing menu for June and I'm going the same direction!

[Mom2Two]

Originally Posted by flying_babyb

Wait! thats not countable? My center counts it all the time!

These are new regs starting Oct 1st. You can still count graham crackers and milk as a snack right on up to Sep 30th!

[284878]

Originally Posted by Mom2Two

ITA that they're mostly good (I just did my training on the new regs last week), but I have smoothie issues too. In the end our nutritionist agreed that if we had recipes with specific ingredients and quantities that we could demonstrate if needed that we'd be okay. I think I'll have to put it in pitchers though and let them do family style, coz I want to be able to use left overs for my own family.

I didn't hear the one about the fruit counting as juice. That sounds so silly!

I don't like that we can't count graham crackers or animal crackers. They're not THAT sweet.

Good News, crackers are back. see USDA memo

https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...etCrackers.pdf

[CityGarden]

Originally Posted by hwichlaz

Oh, and we can use tofu as a meat alternate starting in october....but only if it's recognizable to the children as a meat. No tofu noodles, no pureeing it and mixing it into something etc. It has to stay formed. We can slice it up and stire fry it, bake it etc.....but not disguise it.

I am not a fan of hiding vegetables from children but pureeing meats/tofu is a no no..... really?

This seems more so they can document and check in on the provider with the naked eye than in the child's best interest

* I really try not to reply on food program items but this one is hard to ignore. Please feel free to overlook my comment, I am just in shock of what they choose to be picky about.

[Leigh]

Originally Posted by CityGarden

I am not a fan of hiding vegetables from children but pureeing meats/tofu is a no no..... really?

This seems more so they can document and check in on the provider with the naked eye than in the child's best interest

* I really try not to reply on food program items but this one is hard to ignore. Please feel free to overlook my comment, I am just in shock of what they choose to be picky about.

I have my training on Monday, and haven't read much of the new guidelines, but this one seems ridiculous! I make burritos for my kids that I puree meat, beans, and carrots together for. Not to hide veggies (all of my kids like carrots), but because it tastes better blended together! I can't see why the consistency of the food would matter-some soups, as well, require blending of ingredients. I am amazed at how nitpicky regs can get!

[hwichlaz]

I'm a fan of getting veggies into the kids any way I can. I think if you puree them and hide them you should NOT be doing it instead of feeding them recognizable veggies because they'll never get past their aversion that way...but you should be doing it in addition to the regular way to serve them. Why not make every bite as healthy as possible?

[Mom2Two]

Originally Posted by 284878

Good News, crackers are back. see USDA memo

https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...etCrackers.pdf

I actually went and read it, which was kinda hard, but I did it!

It was nice that they acknowledged (in so many words) that no one had ever asked us about the changes and that life is sometimes hard for us, and that a little flexibility is helpful!

[Josiegirl]

I don't know why they need to make things so difficult. Yes, the food program needed some improvement and adjustment but really, it gets pretty ridiculous and involved doesn't it?? Is this where our tax dollars go? To spend hours upon hours deciding if pureed veggies count or graham crackers count or a myriad of other un-neccessary decisions made by the government?? I get so exasperated thinking about how many man hours get paid big money to dwell on this type of crap. One friggin' graham cracker is NOT going to make a child unhealthy. Why don't they admonish the parents who feed their kids donuts every day on the way to dc?? OR the pedi who told my dcm that it's okay for a child to NOT choose to eat veggies because at least she's not eating everything under the sun, she's making choices about her food. So she's allowed to subsist on white bread and milk. Yes, I had a dcm tell me that. This is a child who chooses only carbs to eat and makes you feel like you're torturing her if you offer veggies. But her dr. says no problem. It's also a child who walks around 75% of her time with green yucky nose syndrome going on. Go figure.
Ok, 'nuf ranting. Let's go spend out taxes on more stupid stuff.

[flying_babyb]

I know they are trying to promote healthy eating but come on people! Whats wrong with low fat organic GRAHM crackers. Our kids are missing apple sandwich day( apple slices, peanut butter, and two grams). also drives me nuts on tofu! The children I have will not eat it if they can figure out what it is,but love it when its in something.

[Josiegirl]

Originally Posted by flying_babyb

I know they are trying to promote healthy eating but come on people! Whats wrong with low fat organic GRAHM crackers. Our kids are missing apple sandwich day( apple slices, peanut butter, and two grams). also drives me nuts on tofu! The children I have will not eat it if they can figure out what it is,but love it when its in something.

But apples and peanut butter are your 2 components so you can still serve them.
I love my program sponsor, she's absolutely wonderful. But it seems we have issues over milk. I have 2 dcgs, 8 and 10 yo, who have always refused milk. They've been coming now for 7+ yrs. The sponsor caught me giving them water at lunch 1 day. She gave me a warning. Then when I serve 2 components at snack, plus milk, she tells me that's not necessary and to serve water instead. Well, of those 2 components there is always 1 that somebody won't eat so I serve milk to ensure of fuller bellies. I know these kiddos, what they'll probably eat or not. It's not even 1/2 c. I serve with a snack. And to me, milk is NOT the end all to our obesity problem or getting all our needed nutrients.