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In This Issue
Food allergy tips: dairy
Mealtime interactions
Sandwiches and veggies
Virtual menu planning training for cooks
ECEC Menu Reviews
2024 Food Safety Supervisor Courses
Recipes
Training Opportunities
Access links
Food Allergy Tips: Dairy
Do you care for children who are allergic to cow's (dairy) milk?
Dairy foods are an important source of protein, fat, calcium and other nutrients, important for children's growth and development. These foods must be avoided for children with an allergy to cow's milk, and suitable alternatives provided. Here are some tips for providing dairy alternatives:
- Alternative milks must be fortified with calcium (120mg/100mL).
- Soy milk is suitable from 12 months of age as a milk alternative and most comparable to cows milk.
- Cereal and nut milks (e.g. oat, rice, almond) are low in protein and fat and can slow growth if being used as a significant source of nutrition. Should be used with caution for children under 2 years of age.
- Goats milk is not a suitable alternative as it contains a similar protein to cows milk.
- Some children with cow's milk allergy can tolerate small amounts of milk in baked foods like milk, cakes and biscuits. This must be confirmed with the family before these foods are offered.
- Soy yoghurt is a good alternative to cow's milk yoghurt, however for highly allergic children may not be suitable due to use of a milk based started. Check with families before a yoghurt alternative is offered.
Mealtime Interactions
The division of responsibility in feeding
As children learn to eat, they develop expectations around mealtimes based on interactions with parents and adults.
Positive mealtime interactions and clear expectations will help parents/adults to trust a child to eat as much as they need, and the child to trust the adult to choose and prepare regular meals and snacks in a positive eating environment. When the roles in this relationship are out of balance, mealtime challenges can occur.
To read more about how to set expectations around mealtimes for children at different ages and stages , and to learn the importance of HOW we eat, visit the Ellyn Satter Institute Website by clicking on the buttons.
Sandwiches and Veggies
How do you serve veggies on sandwich days?
Some children struggle having veggies on their sandwiches, whether it is because they don't like particular veggies, or it makes it more difficult to eat. You may find that when serving sandwiches the ones with salad are less popular and end up being wasted, while sandwiches with softer filling like cheese or vegemite will be eaten much more readily.
If you struggle to find a way to include veggies on a day sandwiches are on your menu, try serving some on the side. Corn cobs are a popular side of veg as they are naturally sweet and can be picked up and eaten easily - just chop them in half or thirds. Other veggies could be a handful or cherry tomatoes (sliced in half for children aged under 3 years), carrot sticks or cucumber slices.
Virtual menu planning training for cooks
Do you want to sharpen your menu planning skills?
We are holding another virtual menu planning training for cooks in February.
Date: Wednesday 27th March
Time: 2-4pm
Cost: $85 + GST
This course will give you the foundational skills, knowledge and confidence to create menus with wholesome meals and snacks that meet children’s nutritional needs each day. You will learn about:
- Food group guidelines
- The menu planning process
- Budgeting
- Creating standard recipes
- First foods for babies
- Allergies and Intolerances
ECEC Menu Reviews
Have you had your menu reviewed recently?
Reviewing your child care menu and nutrition practices will support your centre to meet the National Quality Standards, but more importantly, ensure the children in your care are receiving nutritious foods for growing healthy minds and bodies.
We offer a few different menu review options:
Level 1 Menu Review: Review of your menu to assess if it is meeting 50% of children’s daily food requirements. $550 + GST
Level 2 Menu Review: Level 1 menu review + a review of infant feeding practices and all food and mealtime practices/ policies at the centre. $950 + GST
Additional Mealtime Review: Ask us about adding on an onsite audit of mealtimes to support positive meal environments and feeding practices.
The menu review process:
- Choose which level of menu review you would like completed.
- Send us a copy of your 4 week menu and recipes to foodfoundations@naqld.org. For a level 2 menu review, you also need to send copies of nutrition policies.
- We will arrange a virtual or phone meeting with an Early Years Dietitian.
- During the meeting we ask clarifying questions about your menu and recipes, and gather extra information that we need to complete the assessment.
- A comprehensive report including tailored recommendations will be sent to you within 2 weeks.
- You can request a follow up meeting afterwards to discuss your menu and recommendations.
2024 Food Safety Supervisor Courses
Food Safety Supervisor Full Course Cost: $385
This full-day face to face course is available to participants in early years, OSHC, aged care and disability settings and prepares food safety supervisors to supervise and oversee day to day operations and to prevent and recognise food safety hazards through nationally recognised training.
Upon completion, students achieve a statement of attainment for the following units of competency:
- HLTFSE001: Follow basic food safety practices
- HLTFSE007: Oversee the day to day implementation of food safety in the workplace
- HLTFSE005: Apply and monitor food safety requirements
Tuesday 19th March 2024 9am - 4pm
Newmarket - Grange Community Hall
Thursday 4th April 9am - 4pm
Richlands - C.J. Greenfield Community Hall
If these options don’t suit, please don't hesitate to email us at training@naqld.org with your preferred date and time. We also offer private courses at suitable venues for a minimum of 8 people. We will try to accommodate your request if possible.
If you are due to renew your food safety supervisor certificate in light of the new five year requirements, we are offering many recertification courses in 2024 as enforcement commenced 8th December 2023.
This 3-hour face to face recertification course is available to participants in early years, OSHC, aged care and disability settings that have previously obtained a food safety supervisor certificate. Please note: you will be required to provide a copy of your previous statement of attainment upon registration in order to confirm your booking.
Upcoming recertification course dates:
Tuesday 26th March 9am - 12pm OR 1pm - 4pm
Newmarket - Grange Community Hall
If these options don’t suit, please don't hesitate to email us at training@naqld.org with your preferred date and time. We also offer private courses at suitable venues for a minimum of 8 people. We will try to accommodate your request if possible.
Recipes
This month we have two delicious 5-ingredient recipes to share:
Egg bites that are great for morning tea or a lunchbox snack, and our cheesy tuna pesto pasta, a one pot meal for feeding hungry tummies.
Training Opportunities
Online Training
We offer a suite of online training programs through our partner In Safe Hands. Click on the following buttons for more information and to register.
Access links
Once logged in to the subscriber section of our website, access the following:
Do you have a question for the Food Foundations team?
Feel free to give us a call (07 3257 4393) or email through your questions to foodfoundations@naqld.org
Nutrition Australia Qld
Ph: (07) 3257 4393
Email: foodfoundations@naqld.org
Website: www.naqld.org
Nutrition Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land we work on and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
