Page 22 - MHF-FeedingMinds-final.indd

1.2
Principles of a Balanced Nutritious Diet
for Children over 1 Year
Summary
●● Foods can be divided into five food groups
based on the nutrients they contain, and an
average daily combination of a number of
servings from each food group provides
nutritional adequacy.
●● The food groups and number of servings
children require are:
• bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other
starchy foods – include at each meal and
some snacks: 3–5 servings
• fruit and vegetables – include at each meal
and some snacks: about five servings
• milk, cheese and yogurt – three servings
per day
• meat, fish, eggs, nuts and beans – two
servings per day or three for vegetarians
Children can be assured of meeting the energy and
nutrient intakes discussed in Chapter 1.1 by eating there are many foods that contribute to servings
a combination of five food groups. The foods are
grouped together according to the nutrients they
contain and so all the foods within each food group depending on the ingredients used:
provide a similar range of nutrients. The foods and
the nutrients they contain along with the
recommended number of average daily servings
from each food group are set out in Table 1.2.1.
Food groups 1–4 provide most of the nutrients.
Foods in group 5 provide fewer nutrients and are
high in energy (calories). They can be included in
small quantities but should not replace foods in
groups 1–4.
• foods high in fat and foods high in sugar –
small amounts that do not replace the other
food groups.
●● Sweet foods should be limited to four times per
day.
●● Between six and eight drinks should be offered
each day.
●● The number of average daily servings of each
food group is the same throughout childhood
from 12 months of age but portion sizes of food
and drinks increase as children grow and their
energy and nutrient requirements increase.
●● Assessing the average number of daily servings
from each food group can be used to help
parents and children make changes to improve
the nutritional adequacy of their diets.
In addition to the foods listed in Table 1.2.1
from more than one food group. For example, pizza
provides a serving from three or four food groups
●● Pizza base contains flour – providing a serving
from food group 1.
●● Cheese on top provides a serving from food
group 3.
●● If a meat is included it provides a serving from
food group 4.
●● If diced vegetables are included in the topping
they provide a serving from food group 2.