Illustration of various vegetables and fruits including a carrot, broccoli, tomato, avocado, orange slice, and cherry tomatoes.

Nutritious Meals Everyday

I will be providing fresh, healthy meals and snack for your child. General tuition covers breakfast, lunch, and a snack or 2 in between. On parent’s night, I will also be supplying a home-cooked dinner.

Little Embers aims to fit the Child and Adult Care Food Program standards. The CACFP is a U.S. government program that helps child care centers, after-school programs, and some adult care centers serve healthy meals and snacks.

  • It sets rules for what kinds of meals meet healthy standards (for example, including fruits, veggies, milk, whole grains, and proper portions).

  • It’s meant to make sure children and some adults in care get balanced meals — especially those from low-income families.

It’s run by the USDA and managed by each state.

This program allows for FDCH Sponsors to provide training, conduct monitoring, assist with planning healthy and well balanced menus.

A healthy relationship with food early on in life sets up children for a lifetime of success!

Healthy Balanced Meals

*Example photos below*

I always have an anti-choaking device within reach during meal time! Babies and toddlers are learning to eat and are always testing the boundaries of what they can handle

Balanced Diet Foods for Toddlers (1–3 Years Old)

1. Fruits

Soft, easy-to-chew, high in vitamins

  • Bananas

  • Strawberries (quartered)

  • Blueberries (halved if needed)

  • Raspberries, blackberries

  • Applesauce (unsweetened)

  • Peaches/nectarines (peeled, diced)

  • Pears (soft or canned in juice)

  • Mandarin oranges

  • Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew

  • Mango (soft pieces)

2. Vegetables

Offer cooked/soft textures for safety

  • Steamed carrots

  • Peas

  • Green beans

  • Broccoli florets (soft-steamed)

  • Cauliflower (soft-steamed)

  • Butternut squash

  • Sweet potatoes

  • Zucchini or yellow squash

  • Spinach (sautéed or in eggs)

  • Cucumbers (peeled, thin slices or sticks)

3. Grains & Carbs

Whole grains are best for energy

  • Whole-grain bread

  • Tortillas

  • Cheerios or low-sugar cereals

  • Oatmeal

  • Whole-grain waffles/pancakes

  • Brown rice

  • Quinoa

  • Whole-grain pasta

  • Crackers (low-sodium)

  • Soft muffins (banana, blueberry)

4. Protein

Supports growth & satiety

  • Eggs (scrambled, hard-boiled)

  • Shredded chicken

  • Ground beef or turkey (soft, small pieces)

  • Meatballs (cut small)

  • Fish (salmon, cod—no bones)

  • Beans (black, pinto, chickpeas mashed slightly)

  • Lentils

  • Tofu (soft cubes)

  • Nut butters (thinly spread)

  • Hummus

5. Dairy (or Alternatives)

Calcium + healthy fats

  • Whole milk

  • Yogurt (whole-milk, low sugar)

  • Cheese (shredded or small cubes)

  • Cottage cheese

  • Fortified nondairy milk (soy, oat, almond)

  • Yogurt melts or squeezables (low sugar)

6. Healthy Fats

Important for brain development

  • Avocado

  • Olive oil (on veggies/pasta)

  • Nut butters

  • Flaxseed (ground into oatmeal or yogurt)

  • Chia seeds (mixed into foods)

Sample Balanced Toddler Plate

(ideal CACFP-friendly too)
✔ ½ fruit + ½ veggie
✔ 1 grain
✔ 1 protein
✔ 1 dairy or healthy fat

Example meal:

  • Soft diced sweet potatoes

  • Shredded chicken

  • Applesauce

  • Whole-grain toast strip

  • Yogurt or milk

Four colorful divided meal plates each with different food items. The green plate has strawberries, breaded pork chops, scrambled eggs, and a lemon wedge. The yellow plate contains baked beans, macaroni and cheese, shredded beef, and a meatloaf slice
Four divided section trays with various foods: top left tray has waffles, blueberries, and shredded chicken; top right tray has green grapes, cottage cheese, and two pieces of grilled meat; bottom left tray has chopped chicken with pumpkin, honey dew
Four divided meal trays containing various foods. The green tray has whipped cream, blueberries, and shredded beef. The yellow tray has diced potatoes, green peas, and foil-wrapped sandwiches. The second yellow tray has diced potatoes, whipped cream,
Four divided meal trays with various breakfast foods on a speckled countertop. Top left tray: yogurt, mixed fruit, granola, chicken pieces. Top right tray: chopped celery, melon chunks, cereal with milk, jam. Bottom left tray: pasta with vegetables,
Four divided plates with different food items: yellow plate with rice, diced melon, a meatball, and crackers; green plate with grape leaves and shredded chicken salad; another green plate with mashed potato, diced strawberries, and shredded cooked sa
Four different divided plates with various foods: top left plate has green peas, a mashed potato, shredded chicken with ketchup, and chopped onions; top right plate has fried egg strips, green peas, and shredded beef; bottom left plate has tomato sau