Preschool Children 1-4 years

 Need a balanced diet based on a combination of foods from the five food
groups along with a supplement of vitamins A and D
 A daily meal and snack routine of 3 meals and 2-3 planned nutritious snacks
will provide adequate calories and nutrients and prevent toddlers
becoming over hungry or too tired to eat.
 Snacks given should always be nutritious snacks as toddles are to eat an
adequate amount of nutrients in just three meals.
 High-calorie-low—nutrient foods should be limited to small quantities and
offered as a part of a meal.
 Teeth of under-fives are vulnerable to dental decay and sugary and acidic
foods should be limited to four occasions per day (e.g., Three meals and
one snack).

 High nutrient requirements relative to their size as they are undergoing

rapid growth and development and are physically very active.
 Encourage self-feeding until they manage by themselves.
 Finger foods make self-feeding easier for this age group.
 Need 70 Kcal per kilogram of their weight(Adults need 30-35/Kg)
 Have smaller stomachs, need highly nutritious foods
 Only High-fibre and low-fat foods may make them feel full and reduce
the amount of food(and hence energy) that is eaten.
 Vitamin A supplementation recommended even for children on a
healthy diet.
 Combining food groups – pg 135 to 137
 Drinks – offer 6 to 8 drinks of 100-200ml per day to provide adequate
fluid. More drinks in hot weather or physical activity.
 Water and milk are the safest drinks to offer between meals as they do
not cause tooth erosion or decay.
 Up to 3 drinks per day can be milk.
 Pure fruit juices provide nutrition but contain large amounts of fruit
sugar fructose and they are acidic – both cause dental decay. So lower
their content by diluting them and give these only at mealtimes to
decrease risk of tooth decay.
 Fizzy drinks and squashes not recommended as they provide calories
only without nutrition.
 ‘’No Added Sugar’’ drinks still contain natural sugars or acids – tooth
decay. Examples – ‘baby’ juices, natural fruit juices, fruit juice drinks and
sugar-free squashes and fizzy drinks.
 Tea and coffee not recommended – have caffeine and also decrease iron
absorption
 Sweet or acidic drinks should be given in open cups or glasses and not
with teats, bottles or spouts(sipping not sucking) – decrease tooth decay
 Meal and snack routines – pg 138

 MEAL PLANS – 139

 Nutrients at risk - vitamins – A,C,D Iron Fibre
 VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN DIETS – Pg 142 – table
Vegan diets are not recommended for young children as they are
inadequate, particularly if the child is a faddy eater or has a small
appetite.
Vegan foods are bulky as they are rich in fibre – children might not eat
enough as required.
Breastfeeding vegan mothers and children on vegan diet must be
supplemented for vitamins, calcium and iron and their diet evaluated by
dietician.
 To minimize the risk of choking while eating –
  children should not run around or play while eating,
supervise all meals and snacks
 young children should be seated in a calm atmosphere
while eating
 Cut foods into smaller lengths rather than round pieces
 Stones and pips should be removed
 Soft round foods such as grapes and cherries shold be cut
into halves or quarters
 FOOD NEOPHOBIA ?