Queen's Lace Peaches

Juice again? Tomorrow's breakfast menu is grape juice, french toast and strawberry jam. About twice a week, the childcare center serves fruit juice instead of whole fruit. The center receives reimbursements from the federal government every time they serve a meal. To receive reimbursements for breakfast, the meal must include 1 serving of milk, 1 serving of fruit/vegetable and 1 serving of bread/grain. One quarter cup of fruit juice, if served full-strength, counts as a fruit serving. It's not that I have anything against juice. But for a 13-month old? Toddlers love juice and I know that if Caroline had a choice, she would probably drink juice over milk or water. And lots of it. But juice, even 100% fruit juice, is not as nutritious as whole fruit. Juice does not contribute any fiber to the diet and if consumption is so high that it begins displacing milk or other nutritious food, it can do more harm than good. Toddlers can be picky eaters and if Caroline decides to be a picky eater tomorrow, I want only the most nutritious foods for her to pick from. When there are so many delicious fruits in season right now, it makes sense to give Caroline whole fruits instead of fruit juice.

I went to the farmers' market on Wednesday and bought a flat of Queen's Lace peaches. Caroline loves the rubbing the fuzzy skin against her lips and eating the white, juicy fruit. They were on the firm side today but by tomorrow morning, they should be perfect.

Caroline's Lunchbox Menu, August 31: Breakfast - Queen's Lace peach, O's; Lunch - whole wheat elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, cucumber, roasted Chioggia beets; Snacks - watermelon, Ryvita crackers

Childcare Center Menu, August 31: Breakfast - Grape juice, french toast, strawberry jam; Lunch - cheese pizza, cucumbers, grapes; Snacks - pita bread, hummus