Eatwell guide why it's important
Fruit and vegetables
- Children under 5 to be encouraged to taste 5 different fruit/vegetables each day
- Nursery children over 2 should be offered fruit/ vegetables with each meal and at some snack times
- Care with dried fruit as a snack to promote good dental health.
Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins.
- Aim for 2-3 toddler portions per day
- Across the week offer a range
- Minimum of 2 red meat dishes or bean/pulse vegetable dishes each week
- Include oily fish regularly
- Look for lower salt alternatives
To work towards a healthier diet
- Oils and spreads - eat less often and in small amounts
- Food and drinks high in fat and/or sugar
- Keep biscuits/cakes to meal times only
- Choose unsaturated oils
- Be aware of foods high in salt
Drinks
- The preferred drinks are water and milk Aim for 100-150ml as a drink
- Fresh drinking water should be available at all times
- Diluted fruit juice can be served with a meal (Dilution 1:10)
- Squash/Fizzy drinks should not be served.
Potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates
- A variety of foods from this group should be provided and made available at each meal time and at least one snack time
- Bread based choices e.g. bread, crackers, crumpets, bread sticks – maximum twice a day
- Look for lower salt alternatives
Dairy and alternatives
- 2-3 toddler portions each day
- Include a milk based dessert each day
- Take care with too much cheese due to high salt content
- Whole milk as a drink for 1-2 yr olds
- Semi-skimmed milk can be introduced from 2 yrs
Good Habits
When toddlers reach their first birthday, all the good habits you have tried to put in place may be challenged. It may be reassuring to know that:
Food preferences may start to show – maybe previously enjoyed colours, tastes, textures are now refused.
- Independence around feeding is noticed – it is good to allow toddlers time to feed themselves as you pop a spoonful into their mouth too!
- Sudden changes in food likes and dislikes appear.
- New foods are refused – this usually decreases by the time school age approaches.
If any of the above is a concern, try the following steps each day for a healthy balance:
- Make meal time a family time - Ensure staff and children eat meals together. Praise the child who is eating well and when new foods are tried.
- Ensure menus are nutritious - Never insist children eat everything on their plate.
- Offer food from all 4 food groups in the Eatwell Guide- This will ensure a good mix of nutrients.
- Aim for 3 meals and 2-3 snacks - Offer 2 courses at each meal. Offer only nutritious snacks and discourage grazing on food.
- Aim for 6-8 drinks a day - Give all drinks in a cup/beaker. Aim for around 100-120ml per drink.
- Respect tastes & preferences - Never force feed a child. Some children eat everything, others are more picky. Some may like each item separate on their plate.
- Limit/avoid the following on your menu/snack list - Fried foods, crisps, sweet biscuits, squash. Ensure fruit juice is diluted 1:10 and only given with a meal.
- Encourage active play and sleep if needed - Active play is good in short bursts or can be an organised activity.
- Above all, eating