At Natural Choice we aim to provide children with healthy, balanced and nutritious meals and snacks to give them the nutrients they need to grow and develop at this early age. By creating positive eating habits early on in life we can help to shape their future food choices helping to ensure a lifestyle that promotes healthy bodies and good oral health.
We follow the nutrition guidance document that provides information on the types of foods that children under 5 should be offered and in what quantity. This gives information on the different food groups and how much of each type of food a child should be having and at what age.
Children aged 1 to 5 years have different nutritional requirements to adults. They need to be fed a healthy balanced diet with a range of foods even as they are introduced to solid foods. A healthy, balanced diet is based on the 4 main food groups (fruit and vegetables; potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates; dairy or dairy alternatives; and beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins). These provide essential nutrients to help children grow and develop.
Portion sizes for children
Children, just like adults, should aim to eat 5 or more portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. They’re a great source of fibre and vitamins and minerals.
- Fist-sized: A portion of carbohydrates (e.g., rice, pasta, or potatoes).
- Palm-sized: A portion of cooked meat, chicken, or fish.
- Thumb-sized: A portion of hard cheese or added fats like butter.
- Handfuls: Two to three handfuls of breakfast cereal or a cupped handful of cooked vegetables.
