Toddler or Pre-School Child

Fascinating facts

Children of toddler and pre-school age are growing rapidly and are very active so they need lots of energy and nutrients as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
You should encourage your toddler to eat a healthy and varied diet alongside the rest of the family, as likes and dislikes are often established at this early stage in life.
Toddler sized portions are smaller than adult portions.
Skimmed milk or 1% fat milk is not recommended for children under age 5, although you can gradually introduce semi-skimmed milk from the age of 2 if your child is eating and growing well.

Avoid giving the following foods to toddlers and pre-school children:

Salt; children aged 1-3 years should have no more than 2g of salt (0.8g sodium) per day to reduce the risk of health problems in later life. Try to use fresh foods instead of processed and avoid adding salt in cooking or at the table.
Raw eggs; eggs should be cooked until the white and yolk are solid. Foods containing raw or partially cooked eggs should be avoided to reduce the risk of salmonella poisoning.
Whole or chopped nuts should not be given to children under age 5 because of the risk of choking.

Tips for fussy eaters

It is normal for young children to refuse to taste or eat new foods from time to time. Most children will eat enough to keep them going, so there is no need to worry unless your child is clearly not gaining weight. Fortunately, most toddlers grow out of this stage and eventually learn to enjoy a variety of different foods.

If your child is a fussy eater, here are some tips which may help:

Your toddler will benefit from a routine of regular mealtimes and snacks.
Try to offer your child the same food as the rest of the family and eat your meals together at the table when possible.
Toddlers often benefit from eating with other children so try to arrange for your child to eat with other children when possible (e.g. with siblings or at nursery).
Give your child small portions, praise them if they finish and offer more.
Make positive comments about the food and praise your toddler if they eat well.
Offer finger foods as often as possible, tiny sandwiches, cheese cubes, veg sticks and fruit slices.
Make sure your toddler eats in a calm, relaxed environment away from distractions such as TV and toys.
Try to finish the meal within 20-30 minutes.
Try to recognise when your child has had enough and remove any uneaten food without comment.
Never rush meals or try to pressure your toddler to eat more when they have indicated they have had enough.

Bringing it all together

Eating meals together with the rest of the family can be an important part of learning to try new foods. Children learn by copying other children, adults and siblings so this can help encourage good eating habits. Try to eat meals together as a family and always offer praise if your toddler eats well.

Your child will also benefit from having a routine of regular mealtimes and snacks (3 meals and 2-3 snacks per day). Meals can include a savoury course and a pudding (e.g. fruit, yogurt) which will help to ensure that your toddler gets all the energy and nutrients they need. However, it is not necessary to always give a second course (and this may lead your toddler to expect sweet foods after every meal).

Toddlers will not eat well if they are tired or very hungry, but giving regular snacks should help avoid the frustration of being overly hungry at mealtimes.

Mind their teeth! Thorough brushing for two minutes, twice a day, particularly last thing at night, will help to prevent tooth decay.

Physical activity

Physical activity in childhood is important for healthy growth and development and helping your child to maintain a healthy weight. It is recommended that children should have at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each day. The type of activity your child takes part in will depend on their age, but suitable activities include walking, playing outside and swimming. Active play involving carrying, climbing, and rough and tumble will help develop and maintain muscular fitness and flexibility which is important for bone health.

Food Pyramid

To see how many servings of each of the food groups your toddler should be including in their diet on a daily basis, view our Food Pyramid or download our detailed PDF.

Healthy Eating