Here - Health Promotion Agency

Feeding your child
86
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q.How do I discourage a relative
from giving sweets to my child?
A. Suggest a present of a small book,
pencil or other non-edible gift
instead. You could keep sweets to
a special ‘treat’ day, once a week.
Remember that the number of times
that teeth come into contact with
sugars is as important as the amount
of sugar that is eaten. Sweets are
best eaten in one go rather than
over the course of an hour or two.
Keep them for mealtimes, when
they do least damage to teeth. If
you want more information about
caring for your children’s teeth
ask your health visitor.
Q.What snacks can I give
instead of biscuits or crisps?
A. Try some of these:
a drink of milk;
• a plain yogurt with a banana
sliced into it;
• a slice of toast with yeast extract,
cheese or a slice of ham;
• some crackers, breadsticks or rice
cakes with cheese;
a bowl of cereal with milk;
• a piece of fruit.
Q.I’ve heard that a high-fibre
diet is unsuitable for young
children. Why is this?
A. Foods that contain a lot of fibre
(wholemeal bread and pasta, brown
rice, bran-based breakfast cereals,
etc.) fill up small tummies, leaving
little room for other foods. Bran
also prevents important minerals
from being absorbed. It’s good for
your child to try different
varieties of starchy foods, but
don’t use only wholegrain foods
until your child is five.
Q.What should I pack in a
lunchbox for my three-yearold
when she goes to nursery?
A. Try to choose two savoury
options, some fruit, a sweet
option (yogurt, fromage frais,
scone, or currant bun) and a
drink. Fill sandwiches with
canned tuna or salmon, mashed
banana, hard or cream cheese,
ham, or peanut butter (but beware
of food allergies, see page 83).
Add a few vegetable sticks of
carrots, peppers or cucumber to
munch on and a container of
ready washed and bite-size fruits
– satsuma or seedless grapes.
A box of raisins is fine if eaten
at lunchtime. If you include a
fromage frais or yogurt, don’t
forget a spoon. A piece of kitchen
towel is always useful. If the
lunchboxes are not refrigerated at
nursery, choose an insulated box
with an ice pack to keep food safe
and cool. Buy a leak-proof beaker
so you can give milk, water or
well-diluted fruit juice.
Q.My child refuses to drink
anything but sugary drinks.
A. If sugary drinks are drunk
frequently, teeth are at high risk
of decay. See pages 72–3 for
suitable drinks. If your child
will only drink sugary drinks,
it can take some time to break
the habit. Start by diluting these
really well with water and offer
in smaller quantities, in a beaker
at mealtimes.