1. OFFER A VARIETY OF FOODS FROM CANADA'S FOOD GUIDE FOR MEALS AND SNACKS.

Good nutrition supports the healthy growth and development of children.

BRITISH COLUMBIA CHILD CARE LICENSING REGULATION: 

• Plan menus using Canada’s Food Guide.  
  • Operators of licensed child care facilities who need to know specific amounts and types of food for menu planning can continue to use the guidance in the 2007 food guide (both Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide – and Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide - First Nations, Inuit and Métis ) as trusted sources of information on healthy eating. For aspects of healthy eating advice beyond menu planning, use of the 2019 guidance is encouraged.
• Promote healthy eating and nutritional habits.  
• Food and drink given to a child is sufficient in quantity and quality to meet the developmental needs of the child.  

GOOD PRACTICES: 

Use Canada’s Food Guide as a guide to make healthy meals or snacks and for aspects of healthy eating advice beyond menu planning.  At meals offer foods from all three groupings of food:

•    Vegetables and fruits  
•    Protein foods  Note: Nutritious higher fat foods are an important source of energy for young children.  Lower fat milks and unsweetened fortified soy beverage are not recommended until a child is 2 years old.  
•    Whole grain foods   
•    At snacks, choose a vegetable or fruit and include either a protein food or whole grain food 
•    Water is the recommended drink of choice to satisfy thirst. Unsweetened milk and unsweetened fortified soy beverage are the recommended drinks of choice to offer at meal and snack times. 

Important: Childcare facilities should check with their Licensing Officer about what is needed to serve food.