OBJECTIVE: This study assessed menu quality and plate waste in public day care centers of São Paulo (SP), Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected data from the nurseries of seven day care centers, totaling 366 children aged 12 to 36 months. Each day care center was assessed for three days, totaling 42 days and 210 meals. Menu quality was assessed by the Qualitative Analysis of Menu Preparations method (Análise Qualitativa das Preparações do Cardápio), adapted for day care centers, which provides nutritional and sensory criteria. Food waste was determined by the Plate Waste-Ingestion Index. RESULTS: The supply of vegetables was inadequate in more than 90% of the days, and the amount of leafy vegetables and high-sulfur foods met the recommended amounts on 50% of the days. The supply of sweets and foods containing trans fatty acids was considerable. The Plate Waste-Ingestion Index for daycare centers varied from 25% to 43%, and the Plate Waste-Ingestion Index for food items varied from 11% to 47%. CONCLUSION: The preparations served and serving sizes clearly need to be reviewed, and new menu creation strategies are needed to control food waste.
Child day care centers; Food quality; Menu planning; School feeding; Waste of water
