Nutrition First

Menu Ideas

Menu Ideas and Recipes

Remember—not all foods are creditable, and foods served must have the appropriate serving size for each child served. Providers on the program can refer to the Nutrition First handbook or contact our office with any food questions and/or how to record your meals on the menu.

Breakfast

Breakfast must include one serving of milk, one serving from the vegetable and fruit group, and one serving from the grains and bread group. Protein can be served in place of grains 3 days per week. Here are some suggestions for children over 1 year old:

  • Scrambled eggs, potatoes, 1% milk
  • General Mills Cheerios, bananas, 1% milk
  • Whole Grain Bagel, pears, whole/1%milk
  • Cottage cheese, peaches, whole/1% milk
  • Oatmeal, pears, whole/fat-free milk
  • Whole wheat toast, cantaloupe, 1% milk

Lunch and Dinner

Lunch and Dinner must include one serving of milk, one serving from the Meat and Meat Alternate group, one serving from the Grains and Bread group, one serving from the Vegetable group, and one serving from the Fruit group or additional serving from the Vegetable group. Here are some suggestions:

  • Hamburger, potatoes, green beans, whole grain bun, 1% milk
  • Roast beef, plums, carrot sticks, whole wheat bread, fat-free milk
  • Chicken, refried beans, lettuce, whole wheat flour tortilla, whole/fat-free milk
  • Turkey, green salad, watermelon, whole wheat noodles, 1% milk

Snack

Morning snacks, afternoon snacks, and late night snacks must include one serving from two separate food groups. Here are some suggestions:

  • Muffin, oranges
  • WG Toast, avocado
  • Cheese, tortilla
  • Grapes, cheese sticks
  • Boiled egg, Triscuits
  • Low sugar yogurt, carrot sticks
  • Apple slices, peanut butter
  • Tuna fish, whole wheat crackers
  • Banana Bread, 1% milk

Recipe of the Month

Spiced Apple and Raisin Snack Mix
Ingredients:

  • 4 cups whole grain oat squares cereal
  • 4 cups cinnamon square cereal
  • 3 cups dried apple chunks, firmly packed (about 2 ½ cups)
  • 1 ½ cups raisins
  • 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon

Place dried apple chunks into a zip-lock bag and add cinnamon. Close bag and shake to mix cinnamon and apples. Mix remaining ingredients and dried apples together. Store tightly covered in refrigerator up to 5 days.

Serves 10 – (1 cup per child, consists of 2/3 cup cereal = 1 grains/bread and ¼ cup vegetables/fruits)