Supporting healthy growth, development and lifelong eating habits
Eating well in the early years helps children grow, develop and stay healthy. This page provides trusted, evidence-based advice to support parents and carers from milk feeding through to family meals.
If you have any concerns about your child’s feeding or growth, please speak to your Health Visitor.
Healthy Eating for Toddlers and Pre-School Children (1–5 Years)
What does a balanced diet look like?
Over a day or week, aim to include:
- Fruit and vegetables – variety of colours and textures
- Starchy foods – potatoes, bread, rice, pasta
- Protein foods – beans, pulses, eggs, fish, meat
- Dairy or alternatives – milk, yoghurt, cheese
Portion sizes
- Young children need smaller portions than adults
- Appetites vary from day to day – this is normal
Drinks
- Water and milk are best
- Avoid sugary drinks
- Limit fruit juice to mealtimes only (diluted)
Fussy Eating – What Parents Often Worry About
“My child refuses vegetables”
This is common. Children may need to see or try a food many times before accepting it.
What helps:
- Keep offering a variety without pressure
- Eat the same foods together as a family
- Praise trying, not finishing
“Is my child eating enough?”
If your child is growing, active, and meeting developmental milestones, they are usually getting what they need.
Growth and development matter more than what is eaten at a single meal.
Vitamins and Supplements
The NHS recommends:
- Vitamin D from birth for breastfed babies
- Vitamins A, C and D for all children aged 6 months–5 years
Healthy Start vitamins are available for eligible families.
Food Safety and Choking Prevention
Keep your child safe
- Avoid whole nuts, grapes, popcorn and hard foods
- Cut small round foods lengthways
- Supervise all meals and snacks
- Encourage sitting while eating
Healthy Eating on a Budget
Healthy food does not need to be expensive:
- Frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables count
- Choose own-brand foods
- Plan meals and use leftovers
- Beans, lentils and eggs are affordable protein sources
Evidence and Trusted Sources
This information is based on national guidance from:
- NHS & Start4Life – practical advice for families on feeding babies and young children
- Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) – independent expert advice on nutrition
- World Health Organization (WHO) – global guidance on infant and young child feeding
- Healthy Child Programme (0–5 years) – prevention and early intervention framework
Additional evidence-based resources
- First Steps Nutrition Trust
Provides independent, evidence-based information on eating well in the early years, including:- Infant feeding and complementary feeding guidance
- Nutrition for toddlers and pre-school children
- Practical resources used by health professionals and early years settings
When to Seek Support
Please contact the Public Health Nursing Service if:
- You are worried about your child’s eating or growth
- Mealtimes feel stressful or overwhelming
- Your child has additional needs or medical conditions
Support is available – you are not expected to manage alone.
Contact the team
If you would like to speak to a member of our Health Visitor team, please phone 01752 434008.
