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Government Healthy Eating Guidance for Children

Children need a wide variety of nutritious foods to help them receive enough vitamins, minerals and healthy fats to aid their growth and development. They also need food to provide enough energy to get them through the day. Nutrient rich foods assist with a child’s cognitive development too!

The government provides comprehensive guidance on healthy eating for children, emphasising the importance of a balanced diet and the prevention of obesity. Click on the document below to find out more information on how to ensure your child receives all of the nutrition they need to grow up healthily.

  • Balanced Diet: Children should have a diet that includes a variety of foods, such as starchy foods, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein sources. 

  • Healthy Eating Habits: Encourage children to develop healthy eating habits early on, as these can impact their long-term health and well-being. 

  • Nutritional Needs: Ensure children receive the right amount of nutrients and energy they need, especially those who might not have access to healthy food at home. 

  • Preventing Obesity: A healthy diet helps prevent children from becoming overweight or obese, which can have long-term health implications. 

Positive Eating Habits: Children’s early experiences with food can shape future eating habits, so it’s crucial to develop positive eating habits early on.

 

What is a healthy diet?

Public Health England has issued the ‘Eatwell Guide’ to advise people on what a healthy diet should look like:

The above guidance is for people aged 2 and over.

What are the main food groups?

There are 4 main food group are:

Name of group Type of foods Examples of the types of foods How many portions of each per day?
Group 1 Fruit and Vegetables try to eat a variety of different fruits and vegetables 5+
Group 2 Grains such as potatoes, bread, pasta, rice and other starchy carbohydrates 1 portion per main meal 

&

 some at snack time
Group 3 Protein such as beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat. 2

(3, if vegetarian)
Group 4 Dairy and alternatives such as butter, cheese, plain yoghurts and milk. 3

What other foods/drinks are there?

Name of group Type of foods/drinks Examples of the types of foods How many portions of each per day?
Group 5  Oils and spreads Very sparingly

For example, a teaspoon of spread on toast or a half-teaspoon of oil in cooking being  a guide for a small amount.
Recommended Fluids Water and milk (especially for children)  

1-5 cups of water

3 portions of milk

(1-2 years)

2-3 cups (16-24oz) of milk,  (2-5 years)

 
Other Fluids Tea, coffee, squash, fruit juice and fizzy drinks.  Not recommended 
Unclassified Cakes, crisps, sweets, chocolate, biscuits and sauces with added sugar Occasionally and in very tiny amounts