Eat Healthy

Children learn good eating habits by choosing their own foods at lunchtime

It is crucial that children learn good eating habits before they reach school age. Food and nutrients help to form strong teeth and bones, and help protect your child against illness.

When they're mobile children need a lot of nutrients for energy, yet children can be very particular about what they eat so the key is patience. Remember, if your child refuses food, don't give up, you may need to try your child several times before you can be sure they don't like it. This simple rule will help to reduce the chance that your child becomes a fussy eater.

Make sure your child has the following every day:

Carbohydrates

Such as bread, rice, pasta, noodles, cereals or potatoes. One of these should ideally be served with every meal.

Fruit and Vegetables

As a rule remember that one serving is the same as a handful-sized piece of fruit. A child should eat five portions per day. Sounds difficult doesn't it? Use fruit in puddings and hide vegetables by mashing them or pureeing them into soups, sauces, casseroles, pizza toppings or even mash potato (mashing carrots or sweet corn into mash potato is something we do within the nursery). Frozen and canned fruit and vegetables can be just as nutritious as fresh.

Milk and Dairy Foods

An important source of calcium. Your child should be having the equivalent of about one pint of milk per day. From the age of one, normal cow's milk is fine and much cheaper than formula! Use full fat for under twos; semi skimmed may be given from age two if the overall diet contains enough energy and nutrients. Milk can be used on cereals or in drinks, puddings or sauces, and cheese, fromage frais or yoghurt can be given instead of some milk.

Meat, Fish and Alternatives

Should be eaten once or twice a day. Nutritionists recommend at least two servings of fish a week, one of which should be oily. Remember – shark, swordfish or marlin should be avoided as they contain high levels of mercury which could affect your child's developing nervous system. All of our menus in nursery endeavour to provide fish at least once per week.

Be careful with

Fatty and sugary foods like biscuits, cakes, crisps, sweets, chocolate and ice cream. If you give them to your child try to make sure it's not often and in small amounts only. Sugary foods, particularly drinks, can leave toddlers with decaying teeth which later need extraction. Even sugar free or diet drinks can cause tooth decay, water is by far the best drink for a child to have between meals.

Our nursery food

Our nursery food is prepared by 'Breaking Bread' a catering and food bank company that is part of the PFC Group. We use low salt ingredients where possible and always cook food fresh ourselves (there's no oven-ready or microwave foods here!). Children are provided with two options at lunch times and can have second helpings….or even thirds in some cases! We cater for all dietary and cultural requirements.