Foods children learn to like in their
early years can help shape eating habits that influence their health in later
life
Many parents worry that their
toddler is not eating enough and most expect them to eat more than they need.
However eating more than is needed leads to them being overweight and obese . The UK is facing a health crisis related to obesity and 22 per cent of
children starting school are either overweight or obese
There is growing evidence that increasing portion sizes has an
impact on the amount of food that adults and children consume and some portion
sizes are now double what they were 20 years ago. Last week a three-year-old girl in the US was thought to have become the youngest person ever to be
diagnosed with
type-2 diabetes.
One predictor of what young children eat is which foods are offered and how
much is put on their plates. Foods children learn to like in their early years
can help shape eating habits that influence their health in later life.
To reassure parents who worry that their children aren’t eating
enough and help to dissuade them from coercing toddlers to eat larger portions
than they need to, here are some recommendations on portion size for 1-4 year
olds.
The guidance includes ranges rather than specific amounts, to
address the fluctuating appetites of young children who tend to eat more at some
meals and less at others. Parents can use the portion sizes as a guide on how
much to offer to their young children – but they should then allow children to
eat to their appetite. Taller or more active children will eat larger portions
than shorter or less active children. 1-4 year olds eating within these ranges
will meet their energy and nutrient needs – except vitamin D, for which all
children need a supplement..
Food Group 1: Bread,
cereals, potatoes & other starchy foods
Parents or carers should offer
a serving from within these portion size ranges at each meal and some snacks.
Examples include
Food Group 2: Fruit and Vegetables
Offer at least 1-2 servings at each meal and also offer them
with some snacks. These are low energy, high nutrient foods so allow toddlers
to eat larger portions if they wish to. Examples include:
Offer at least 1-2 servings at each meal and also offer them
with some snacks. These are low energy, high nutrient foods so allow toddlers
to eat larger portions if they wish to. Examples include:
Food Group 3: Milk,
cheese and yogurt
Offer a serving from within these portion size ranges about
three times each day. An excess of these foods can reduce the appetite for
iron-containing foods from the other food groups so limit serving sizes to
those indicated. Milk should be given in a cup, mug or glass - not a bottle.
Semi skimmed milk can be used from two years of age and skimmed milk from five
years of age for children who eat a wide variety of foods, but changing is not
necessary. Examples include:
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