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16  1.2 Principles of a Balanced Nutritious Diet for Children over 1 Year

Drinks of the food groups is applicable for all children
from 1 year of age.
Between six and eight drinks per day provide
adequate fluid, although children may need more It is not necessary for children to eat the exact
in very hot weather or after extra physical activity. Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNI) of each nutrient
each day. Most nutrients are stored in the body and
With the exception of water, drinks are also these stores will last them some time. Children may
included in the five food group system. Milk and eat more of some nutrients on certain days and less
yogurt drinks are included in food group 3. Sweetened on other days, depending on the foods offered and
drinks and fruit juices are all included in food group the quantities consumed. Over a period of two
5 as they are high-sugar drinks that also contain acid weeks or so, on a balanced diet with a reasonable
which can cause dental decay if given frequently. variety of foods from each food group, children
will be getting on average what they need.
Water and milk are the safest drinks to offer
between meals as they do not cause tooth erosion The ‘eatwell plate’ is a visual representation
or increase the risk of dental decay. Up to three developed for use in the UK describing how to
drinks per day can be milk but more than this can combine the food groups on a daily basis (Figure
decrease the appetite for foods from the other food 1.2.1). It has been devised for children over 5 years
groups that contain iron. and adults. There is no UK visual representation of
a combination of the five food groups for children
Portion Sizes under 5 years old.

Portion sizes of foods are discussed in the chapters This food group combination can be applied to
for each age group in Sections 5 and 6. They whichever cultural diet families eat. The wider the
increase as children grow and have higher energy variety of foods eaten within each food group the
and nutrient requirements. However, the better the balance of nutrients provided. Most
recommended number of daily servings from each countries have developed their own visual

Figure 1.2.1 The ‘eatwell plate’. Copyright: Food Standards Agency