Children's health and nutrition; guidelines and tips

• A high proportion of fruit and vegetables
• Some milk, cheese and yoghurt
• Some meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein
• Very little fats and oils
• Limit foods and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt

Proteins are essential for a number of important functions including growth, brain development and healthy bones.

Animal proteins such as lean meat, fish, eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese contain the 9 essential amino acids considered vital for growth. Plant proteins such as beans and pulses are incomplete proteins and need to be combined to achieve the full spectrum of amino acids.

Encourage your child to eat a variety of fresh, canned, frozen or dried fruits and vegetables — aiming for five portions per day.

Poriton size will depend on the child’s age, size and physical activity. An approximate portion of fruit or veg is the amount that fits in the palm of your child’s hand.

Tip: Choose different colours of fruit and vegetables to consume a wider range of vitamins.

Children should have a source of carbohydrate with every meal. Choose whole grain varieties such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, quinoa or brown rice, as these provide more fibre. They also provide slow energy release which will keep children fuller and more energised for longer.

Tip: Try to avoid refined (white) grains and opt for whole (brown) grains instead.

Children gain a lot of nourishment from milk, yogurt and cheese. These foods provide the body with easily absorbed calcium as well as vitamins A and B12, protein and other vitamins and minerals.

Tip: Childrens yogurts are often high  in sugar. Choose natural yogurt and add your own natural flavourings with fruit.

While children need some fat to grow and develop, too much is not recommended.

Try to limit saturated fats, which mainly come from animal sources of food, such as red meat, poultry and full-fat dairy products.

• Use a small plate
• Fill a third of your child’s dinner plate with vegetables or salad
• Don’t let your child eat from a packet, serve a single portion into a bowl
• Avoid second helpings of high calorie treats
• Don’t let children eat while watching TV as it’s easy to overeat when distracted
• If eating out, ensure you order a half or child’s size portion for children

• Limit access to unhealthy sweets and salty snacks between meals
• Offer a new food only when your child is hungry
• Present only one new food at a time
• Serve new foods with favourite foods to increase acceptance
• Disguise vegetables in other foods. Add shredded or blended veg to stews and sauces
• Let your child help prepare meals, they’ll be more willing to eat something they helped to make
• Limit drinks and snacks, to avoid filling up between mealtimes

Overweight and obesity in children is a growing problem. Although the issue should never be ignored by parents, it must be dealt with sensitively to avoid causing upset or creating other emotional issues for your child.

Carrying extra body weight can put children at increased risk for developing serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and asthma.

Recognising and treating weight problems and obesity in children, may reduce the risk of developing serious medical conditions as they get older.

Childhood obesity also takes an emotional toll. It is important for children to develop high self-esteem, feeling good about themselves can affect their mental health and behaviour.

In many cases self-esteem can be closely linked to body image and weight. Overweight and obese children often have trouble keeping up with other children and joining in sports and activities. Other children may tease and exclude them, leading to low self-esteem and negative body image.

Addressing weight problems in children requires a combination  of physical activity and healthy nutrition.

Most cases of childhood obesity are caused by eating too much and exercising too little. Children need enough food to support healthy growth and development. But when they take in more calories than they burn throughout the day, the result is weight gain.

•  Get the whole family involved
• Encourage healthy eating habits
• Lead by example
• Limit snacks
• Monitor portion sizes
• Reduce screen time
• Get your child moving – Increase daily exercise and activity

Don't ignore weight problems – let your child know that you love them and that all you want to do is help them be healthy and happy.