Page 27 - MHF-FeedingMinds-final.indd

18  1.2 Principles of a Balanced Nutritious Diet for Children over 1 Year

Figure 1.2.4 Singapore healthy diet pyramid

●● offering three servings/day of the vegetarian Vegan diets
foods in food group 4 (i.e. eggs, nuts and pulses)
and offering a food high in vitamin C at each Vegan diets are unlikely to provide adequate
meal to increase the iron absorbed from the calcium, vitamin B12, omega 3 fats unless they are
plant-based foods extremely well planned. A calcium-enriched soya
milk can be used as a substitute for foods in food
●● including dried fruit often as it is a good source group 3. However, an extra supplement may be
of iron needed for the key ‘at risk’ nutrients, which are iron,
zinc, calcium and vitamin B12. A vegan diet is not
●● including starchy foods from food group 1 in recommended for the under-fives (see Chapter 5.1).
combination with nuts and pulses from food
group 4 (e.g. as baked beans on toast, rice and Diets more restricted than a vegan diet, such as
dahl, rice and peas or peanut butter sandwich) Zen macrobiotic, fruitarian or raw food diets, are
as the amino acids in the protein of starchy not recommended for children as they cannot
foods complement the amino acids in the provide all the energy and nutrients for growth and
protein in nuts and pulses to provide together all development. A referral to social services and for a
the essential amino acids needed for growth dietetic assessment are essential if parents reject
this advice.
●● offering breakfast cereals with added iron rather
than those that are not fortified with iron Sugar and Dental Health

●● increasing omega 3 fats from plant sources for Sugar has a place in all balanced nutritious diets,
those not eating fish by using rapeseed oil for enhancing flavour and providing enjoyment from
cooking, walnut, soya or olive oil for dressings sweet tastes. As outlined in Chapter 1.1 sugar
and chopped walnuts in place of other chopped should be restricted to about 11 per cent of total
nuts, or supplying a supplement of omega 3 fatty energy intake and in practice this means that small
acids.