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The amount of food
There are some guidelines for how many calories children need at different ages. However, paying attention to an individual child’s eating patterns is also a good way of knowing how much a child will eat. For example, some children may eat lots at one meal, and not very much at another, while others will eat similar amounts at each meal. Planning regular meals with the right amount of food is an important way to support a child’s wellbeing.
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Snacks
Although three meals a day is often enough food for adults, children have smaller stomachs, and so often can’t eat enough at meals to keep them full. Snacks are therefore a very important way of giving children the energy they need between meals. Good snacks that provide lots of energy include slices of fruit, or a piece of toast with butter. However, unhealthy snacks fill children up with sugar, and stop them being hungry at their next meal without giving them very many nutrients! Examples of unhealthy snacks include sweets, crisps, biscuits and sugary drinks.
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Allergies
Some children have allergies to certain foods, and so should not be given these. Common food allergies include nuts, some milk and dairy products, and seafood such as prawns. It’s important to be careful when giving children these foods, even if you are not sure whether they have an allergy. In particular, it is important to avoid giving children nuts, as these can cause severe allergic reactions in some children.
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Food to avoid
There are lots of foods that should be avoided for children under 5. This includes nuts, which children may choke on or be allergic to, sugary foods and drinks, which are unhealthy. Children should also avoid high-salt foods, as this can have a negative impact on their kidneys. Finally, children should avoid undiluted fruit juices, as they can cause tooth decay. Simply diluting fruit juices with water can prevent this.
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Culture and beliefs
Some children may be from families with particular cultures and beliefs. This may mean that they do not eat certain foods. For example, some children may be vegetarian. Religion may also affect children’s diets. For example, Muslims only eat halal meat, and never pork. Similarly, Jewish children do not eat pork, and will only eat kosher meat. It’s important to respect these cultures and beliefs, and to plan meals and diets for these children accordingly so that nutrients remain balanced.
