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Meal Plans 139

●● allowing plenty of time for the meal to ensure ●● holding food in the mouth without swallowing it
children are not rushed, but ensuring it is not
prolonged beyond about 30 minutes ●● crying, shouting or screaming when food is
offered
●● allowing children to decide when they have
eaten enough. When parents accept that ●● trying to get out of the chair or away from the
decision and do not try to coerce them to eat table
more, mealtime battles are not set up and
children become more confident in their ●● vomiting or spitting food out.
perception of satiety.
When a meal is a positive experience it becomes an
Young children indicate they have had enough to opportunity for toddlers to learn good social skills
eat by: and behaviours associated with eating and
drinking (e.g. chatting to other children and adults,
●● saying ‘no’ when offered or encouraged to eat developing good table manners, offering and
more food sharing food, learning to respect others).

●● keeping their mouth shut Meal Plans

●● turning their head away from food being offered The following menus use seasonal food and
incorporate a mixture of finger foods and foods
●● putting their hand in front of their mouth requiring a spoon and fork.

Meal plan for spring

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

Breakfast Porridge with dried fruit Poached egg with Toasted hot cross
and milk toast fingers bun and slices of
Midday pear
meal Kiwi fruit slices
Hot chocolate to
Evening Drink Milk Water drink
meal
1st course Chicken nuggets with new Salmon fish fingers Roast lamb
potatoes and purple with pasta pieces
2nd course sprouting broccoli Spinach and radish Potato wedges
Drink salad
1st course Chocolate almond cake Broccoli florets
with orange segments Rhubarb crumble
with custard Yogurt and
Water stoned cherries
Water
Hummus and baby spinach Water
sandwich Baked beans on
toast with carrot Cheese omelette
sticks with asparagus
spears
2nd course Fruit salad and yogurt Mini muffin and
apple slices Lemon tart with
banana slices
Drink Water Water and ice cream

Water