Key points for Pre-school Children
Encouraging pre-school children to eat a healthy, varied diet will provide all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development and help to establish good eating habits for life.
Young children who are growing and are usually very active have high energy and nutrient requirements in relation to their size.
A good supply of protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A and D are important during this time.
Young children have small stomachs and may not be able to obtain all the energy and nutrients they need if their diet contains too much fiber. Such diets can sometimes reduce the amount of minerals they can absorb, such as calcium and iron.
By the time they are 5 years old, children should be eating family food and consuming a diet that corresponds with the Balance of Good Health model.
HEALTHY EATING GUIDELINES
Healthy eating guidelines are not intended to apply in full to pre-school children (1-5 years of age). A diet which is low in fat and high in fibre may not supply enough energy for a young child. However, a healthy family approach to diet and lifestyle will encourage a child to eat more healthily, as food preferences are often established during this early stage of life.
ENERGY AND NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS
Children’s energy requirements increase rapidly because they are growing quickly and becoming more active. They have a high energy requirement for their size. To achieve this energy intake, foods which are high in energy (and also rich in nutrients) and eaten as part of small and frequent meals may be necessary for younger children, who do not have large enough stomachs to cope with big meals.
Young children should not be put on weight reduction diets. However, developing a healthy family approach to food and physical activity is important in the weight management of children.
A good supply of protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A and D is also necessary during this time. Calcium is needed for healthy tooth development and, together with vitamin D, helps make bones stronger. Childhood is an important time for tooth and bone development.
Whole cows’ milk is recommended for children over the age of 12 months as a main drink as it is a rich source of a number of nutrients. Semi-skimmed milk can be introduced after the child is two, as long as the diet provides enough energy. Skimmed milk is not suitable for children under five years of age, as it does not provide enough energy and vitamin A for the growing child.
Children should be taught to think about dental hygiene and ways of preventing dental caries. They should be encouraged to reduce the number of times a day that they have foods and drinks containing sugar and, if possible, to have them only at meal times. Brushing teeth regularly with a fluoride toothpaste and regular visits to the dentist should also be encouraged.
Children from the age of 6 months should be given supplements of vitamins A, C and D (in the form of liquid drops). These should be continued until the child is 5 years of age if considered to be at risk of deficiency, e.g. poor eaters or those who do not have much exposure to sunlight. These drops are free for children under 5 years for families receiving an income-based Job Seekers Allowance or Income Support.
Iron deficiency anaemia is common in certain groups of young children such as those who are not receiving a good supply of iron from solid foods and who are given cow’s milk as a main drink too early (i.e. before 12 months of age).
Iron deficiency anaemia is associated with frequent infections, poor weight gain and delay in development. Red meat is the best source of easily absorbable iron and can be offered to children from 6 months of age. Iron rich foods, such as liver and red meat, may not be popular with young children, so other ways of providing this nutrient must be found, e.g. offering mildly flavored liver pate.