Here - Health Promotion Agency

Feeding your child
‘It’s difficult to give them healthy
food because of the money. But
some of the stuff that’s not
healthy costs most of all – like
sweets. And there
are things you can do – like
beans and lentils and things
are cheap and you can store
them. And I slice up fruit
and share it between the
kids and it goes further.’
‘I do feel, you know, I wish
she’d eat that. But I’m resigned
to it. Because even getting her
to try things is hard. So I just
serve up the same old things,
and it’s a fairly good mix, so
why worry? I mean, she does
eat different sorts of food. She
eats baked beans, she loves
bread, she’ll drink milk.
Potatoes and cheese always go
down OK. She has orange
juice and apples, bananas
sometimes. There’s nothing
wrong with that.’
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SOME IDEAS TO TRY
• Top pizza with
favourite vegetables or
canned pineapple.
•
Give carrot sticks, slices
of pepper and peeled
apple for snacks.
•
Mix chopped or mashed
vegetables with rice,
mashed potatoes, meat
sauces or dahl.
•
Mix fruit, whether
fresh, canned
or stewed, with yogurt
or fromage frais for a
tasty dessert.
•
Chop prunes or dried
apricots into cereal or
yogurt, or add to a stew.
(apricots, mango, peaches). These
contain beta-carotene, the plant
form of vitamin A. Also try to
include some citrus fruits (satsumas,
oranges) and some salad (peppers,
tomatoes) for vitamin C which
helps the absorption of iron from
other foods (see page 80).
Many children don’t eat enough
fruit and vegetables and it can be
hard work persuading them to even
eat a mouthful. If they are picky,
then gradually introduce new
varieties on picnics, at granny’s or
with other familiar food.
Obviously, there will always be
something they don’t like! Use some
of the ideas in the box to help you.
Offer fruit and vegetables at each
meal
Many children don’t like cooked
vegetables but will nibble on them
while you’re preparing the meal. Be
imaginative about serving vegetables,
perhaps mashing different types
together or arranging them
attractively on the plate.
If your child refuses to eat
vegetables, keep offering them but
also offer more fruit. Make sure
you show that you like eating them.
Don’t make a big fuss if they refuse.
Give vitamin drops as a safeguard
(see Vitamins, page 74).
Meat, fish, eggs, beans and other
non-dairy sources of protein
Protein and iron are needed by
young children to grow and develop.
Meat, fish, eggs, nuts, pulses (beans,
lentils and peas) and foods made
from pulses (tofu, hummus, soya
mince, etc.) are excellent sources of
protein and iron, so give at least one
portion from this group each day.
Meat and fish also contain zinc,
which is important for healing
wounds and making many of the
body’s processes function properly.
Zinc can be in short supply in
toddlers’ diets.
If you are bringing up your child
on a diet without meat (vegetarian)
or without any food from an animal
(vegan), two portions of vegetable
proteins or nuts daily will ensure
enough protein. Whole nuts should
not be given to children under five
years of age as there is a risk of
choking. Grind nuts finely or use a
smooth nut butter (see page 69 for
important information about
peanut allergy).