In this article

Nutrition for children Key nutrients and dietary sources

Foods to be careful with Vitamins A, C and D

Advice about meals Common problems

Advice about meals

• Give your child regular meals and snacks, and try to time these for when your child isn't too tired or hungry
• Sit down and eat together as a family - "Conversation is the best seasoning"
• Try including children in buying and preparing foods to encourage their interest
• Have a wide variety of foods and choose ones that are colourful and interesting
• Offer small portions on a small plate, and allow your child to have more if they're still hungry.
• Keep sweet foods out of sight until the main meal has been eaten

Breakfast

This is a very important meal - not only does it break the overnight fast, but it can provide essential nutrients, too.

Breakfast cereals are ideal, especially if served with a glass of fresh fruit juice or fruit - it's a nutrient-packed meal that will provide starchy carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium, iron and protein. But toast, fruit and yoghurt, egg or beans can all be offered as an alternative.

Snacks

Nutritious snacks are important to supply essential nutrients and energy, but avoid giving large snacks too close to meals.

Healthy snacks include fresh fruit, vegetable sticks (such as carrots and peppers), dried fruit, cheese cubes and crackers, toast, small sandwiches, and yoghurt or fromage frais.

Faddy eating and refusing food

Many children go through phases of refusing to eat certain foods or anything at all. This is particularly common for children up to the age of five, and is a normal part of growing up and asserting independence. Children won't harm themselves if they don't eat for a short while.

It's quite normal for young children to refuse a new food without even trying it. If this happens, stay calm and don't force your child to eat it. Take the food away and introduce it again in a few days' time. Research shows new foods often need to be offered several times before some children will try them.

Offer regular meals and snacks to establish a structured eating pattern rather than allowing your child to pick at food throughout the day. Make meal times fun. Use brightly coloured plates, present the food in an attractive way, and try to remain calm and relaxed. If the problem shows no sign of improving, speak to your health visitor, GP or dietitian to get further advice.

Excess weight

If your child’s putting on too much weight, cut down on snacks, particularly sweets and chocolate, and give sugar-free or no-added-sugar drinks. Seek advice from your health visitor or GP, who may refer your child to a dietitian.

Poor weight gain

If your child isn't gaining weight well, talk to your health visitor or GP who will check for any underlying medical reasons. As some children have very small appetites, try to make all meals and snacks as nutritious and calorific as possible (see 'Snacks' section above).

Allergies

If you ever notice swelling of your child's mouth or face, or breathing difficulties during or after eating, seek medical advice immediately. Keep a diary of all foods and drinks consumed and try to pinpoint which foods triggered the reaction.

Symptoms such as a rash or vomiting after eating may also suggest there has been a reaction to a food.

Don't diagnose allergies yourself or eliminate foods from your child's diet without medical advice, as this may compromise the quality of their diet and result in nutritional deficiencies.

To lessen the risk of peanut allergies, foods containing peanuts should not be given to children under three if the child has a parent or sibling with a diagnosed allergy.

Whole nuts shouldn't be given to any child under five because of the risk of choking.

Diarrhoea

Episodes of diarrhoea are fairly common in young children who are otherwise healthy. Sometimes called 'toddler diarrhoea', the condition usually resolves by four years of age.

Excessive fluid intake, particularly fruit squashes and fruit juices such as apple juice, may worsen the condition. If the diarrhoea is prolonged, tell your doctor or health visitor.

This article was last medically reviewed by the MRC Human Nutrition Research in July 2008.
First published in March 2001.