Choosing healthy crackers for long day care menus

Crackers are a popular option for morning and afternoon tea in long day care services. They are quick, convenient and easy for little hands to manage. When planning your menu and shopping, it’s important to choose crackers that meet the Menu planning guidelines for long day care.

Look for crackers that are:  

• Plain varieties (without added flavours) 
• Wholegrain or wholemeal where possible 

Some good options include: 

• Wheat crispbread e.g. Cruskits, Ryvita crispbread
• Reduced fat wheat crispbread e.g. Light Cruskits
• Brown rice cakes (plain) e.g. SunRice, Ceres Organic, Woolworths, Coles rice cakes 
• Plain rice crackers e.g. Sakata, SunRice rice cakes 
• Plain corn cakes e.g. Corn thins 
• Multigrain corn cakes e.g. Corn thins multigrain 
• Corn crispbread e.g. Orgran crispibread 

 Avoid crackers that are: 

• High in salt or saturated fat 
• Flavoured (e.g. BBQ, cheese or sour cream varieties) 
• Made with added fats and oils 

The Menu planning guidelines recommend offering 2 children’s serves of grain (cereal) foods per child per day. 

When serving crackers, one children’s serve is: 

• 3 – 4 crackers or crispbreads 
• 3 thick rice cakes 
• 6 thin rice or corn cakes 
• 12 plain rice crackers 

• Pair with sliced cheese, mashed tuna or egg 
• Serve with nutritious dips like hummus, tzatziki or avocado 
• Serve alongside fresh fruit or sliced vegetables 

Looking for more food and drink ideas? Explore the food & drink ideas page.