Food and Health Guidelines - Torfaen Family Information Service

3. Children 1-4 years
Group 3
Bread, other cereals and potatoes
This group includes starchy foods such as bread, breakfast cereals, rice, pasta, noodles,
potatoes, yams, couscous, chapatti and sweet potatoes. These foods provide energy,
carbohydrate, fibre, iron and B vitamins.
How much to give?
Young children of this age should be encouraged to consume at least 4 portions of starchy
foods per day. This equates to one serving at each mealtime. It is important to try lots of
different varieties of starchy foods.
An example of a portion size is:
• 1 slice of bread
• 1 small bread roll
• 1 potato (60g)
• 1 wheat cereal biscuit
• 3 dessertspoons of boiled rice or pasta
Group 4
Fruit and vegetables
This group include all fresh fruit and vegetables as well as dried, canned and frozen
varieties. Fruit juices are also included in this group. These foods contain important
sources of dietary fibre and a variety of vitamins and minerals. They also contain
phytochemicals, compounds commonly found in plant foods that are not considered to be
nutrients but may have protective health benefits.
How much to give?
Children of toddler age should be introduced to a variety of fruit and vegetables aiming
for 5 or more portions a day with 3-4 in a setting each day. There are no specific
guidelines for portion sizes for young children but it is suggested to aim for the amount a
child can hold in one hand e.g. 4-5 grapes. Fruit juice only counts for 1 portion each day
irrespective of how much is taken.
An example of a portion size is:
• 5 grapes
• 1 dessertspoon of peas
• 2 cherry tomatoes
• A few segments of satsuma
• 100mls fruit juice
4