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5.1
Preschool Children 1–4 Years
Summary
●● 1–4 year olds need a balanced diet based on a ●● Snacks given should always be nutritious
combination of foods from the five food groups snacks as toddlers are unlikely to eat an
along with a supplement of vitamins A and D. adequate amount of nutrients in just three
meals.
●● A daily meal and snack routine of 3 meals and
2–3 planned nutritious snacks will provide ●● High-calorie low-nutrient foods should be
adequate calories and nutrients and prevent limited to small quantities and offered as part
toddlers becoming over hungry or too tired of a meal.
to eat.
●● Teeth of under-fives are vulnerable to dental
●● Toddlers’ appetites vary from day to day and decay and sugary and acidic foods should be
they should be allowed to eat to their appetite limited to four occasions per day (e.g. three
and finish eating when they have had enough. meals and one snack).
This age group should be offered nutritious family whereas adults only need about a half of this – that
foods and included in as many family meals as is about 30–35 kcalories for every kilogram they
possible. Younger toddlers usually need their food weigh.
cut up for them for some time and some continue
to need help with feeding as they may not be able to Toddlers also need larger amounts of most
feed themselves fast enough to satisfy their hunger. nutrients per kilogram of their body weight than
However, self-feeding should continue to be adults. As toddlers’ stomachs are quite small they
encouraged until they can manage by themselves. need very nutritious foods at all meals and snacks
Finger foods make self-feeding easier for this age to ensure a good intake of nutrients. A routine of
group. two or three planned nutritious snacks in addition
to three meals each day will help to give them all
Achieving Nutrient and Calorie the calories and nutrients they need in food
Requirements portions that they can manage comfortably.
Toddlers and preschool children have high nutrient Toddlers fed only on the low-fat, high-fibre
requirements relative to their size as they are still foods which are recommended for a healthy
undergoing quite rapid growth and development balanced diet for older children and adults may
and are usually very physically active. They need include too many high-fibre foods that can make
about 70 kcalories for every kilogram they weigh, this age group feel full and could reduce the
amount of food – and therefore energy and
nutrients – that is eaten.
