The right start to
healthy eating
for pre-primary and
primary school children
Food for
Kids
© Child and Adolescent Health Service, Department of Health, 2011 HP
31
67
J
AN
’11
Disclaimer
The advice and information contained herein is provided
in good faith as a public service. However the accuracy
of any statements made is not guaranteed and it is the
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omission occurring in reliance on this document or for any
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Local Contact
When your child starts pre-school and primary school
you will notice plenty of changes, including the foods
he or she wants to eat.
No longer is it just the family who decides which foods
will be served. There are many new influences on their
food choices. Schools will teach new skills in preparing
and choosing foods. Other children will give them ideas
about foods to try. Messages from TV and food
companies marketing to children play a big part in
setting trends and promoting particular foods.
You might not always be happy about some of these
influences, but children can learn to make healthy food
and lifestyle choices with your help.
are
changing!
The world is beginning to open up for
children as they start their school life.
They learn quickly and there are many
influences extending beyond the home
environment. Physically, children continue
to grow steadily. They need a wide variety
of nutritious foods, and to be given plenty of
opportunities to be physically active.
Experts Say...
Things
Foods children need
egular meals and a wide variety of different foods
will ensure that they have the nutrients needed
to grow and develop. Appetites vary along with activity,
and this influences how much your child will eat.
Breakfast is an important meal if children are to be
alert and able to concentrate in school.
Snacks at morning recess and after school are usually
needed by busy, active children.
School lunches need to be appetising, nutritious
and convenient to eat. Some schools have canteens but
your child will probably need some help in choosing a
healthy and satisfying lunch. If you are not happy with the
choice of foods on the menu, talk to the school about
healthy alternatives.
Family evening meals are important times for
talking and sharing the day's news and activities. Plan to
have meals together without TV or telephone interruptions.
Water and milk are the best drinks for children.
Fluids are important for children throughout the day.
Thirsty or dehydrated children cannot maintain
concentration and activity.
R = 2 slices of bread= 1 medium bread roll
= 1 cup cooked rice, pasta or noodles
= 1 cup porridge
= 11/3 cup breakfast cereal
= 1/2 cup muesli
= 1/2 cup cooked vegetables
= 1/2 cup cooked or canned beans,
lentils, chick peas or split peas
= 1 cup salad vegetables
= 1 small potato
Bread, cereals,
rice, pasta,
noodles
Vegetables,
legumes
Fruit
Milk, yogurt, cheese
Meat, fish, poultry,
eggs, nuts, legumes
4 serves
per day
2 serves
per day
3 serves
per day
1/2–1 serve
per day
Limit “extra”foods. Some foods do not fit into the five food groups. They contain too much fat, sugar and/or
salt and very few essential nutrients. It is recommended that young children are not given these foods (or very
occasionally only) as they replace other foods and the essential nutrients needed for growth and development.
Encourage your child to eat at least the
following serves from the five food groups
A serve is...
= 65–100 g cooked lean meat or chicken
(eg. 1/2 cup mince, 2 small chop, 2 slice of roast)
= 1/2 cup cooked or canned beans, lentils,
chick peas or split peas
= 80–120g cooked fish fillet
= 2 small eggs
Recommended for children years4 74 7yearstoto
= 1 medium piece (eg. apple, banana, orange, pear)
= 2 small pieces (eg. apricots, kiwi fruit, plums)
= 1 cup diced or canned fruit
= 1/2 cup 100% juice
= dried fruit *(eg. 4 apricot halves,
11/2 tbsp sultanas)
*Limit, as they
are high in sugar
and tend to cling
to teeth, causing
tooth decay
3–4 serves
per day
*Limit, as they
are high in sugar
and tend to cling
to teeth, causing
tooth decay
= 250 mL (1 cup) milk
= 1/2 cup evaporated milk
= 40 g (2 slices) cheese
= 200 g (1 small carton) yogurt
= 250 mL (1 cup) custard
Best food choices for
he early school years are a time of rapid learning
and slow and steady physical growth. Children need
a variety of foods to meet nutrient needs. As body size
increases, so does the amount of food needed.
When children are very active they have higher energy
(kilojoule) needs. Appetites usually increase to meet
these needs.
The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating will help you select
the type of foods to make the best choices for your child.
Amounts are suggested for ages four to seven and eight
to eleven years, but remember the amounts your child
eats will vary depending on their appetite, activity levels,
individual needs, and body size as they are growing.
Enjoy a variety
of foods every day
The AusTrAliAn Guide To heAlThy eATinG
T
= 2 slice of bread
= 1 medium bread roll
= 1 cup cooked rice, pasta or noodles
= 1 cup porridge
= 11/3 cup breakfast cereal
= 1/2 cup muesli
= 1/2 cup cooked vegetables
= 1/2 cup cooked or canned beans,
lentils, chick peas or split peas
= 1 cup salad vegetables
= 1 small potato
Bread, cereals,
rice, pasta,
noodles
Vegetables,
legumes
Fruit
Milk, yogurt, cheese
Meat, fish, poultry,
eggs, nuts, legumes
4-5 serves
per day
3 serves
per day
1- 11/2 serves
per day
= 250 mL (1 cup) milk
= 1/2 cup evaporated milk
= 40 g (2 slices) cheese
= 200 g (1 small carton) yogurt
= 250 mL (1 cup) custard
Limit “extra”foods. Some foods do not fit into the five food groups. They contain too much fat, sugar and/or
salt and very few essential nutrients. It is recommended that children are not given these foods (or very
occasionally only) as they replace other foods and the essential nutrients needed for growth and development.
Encourage your child to eat at least the
following serves from the five food groups
A serve is...
= 65–100 g cooked lean meat or chicken
(eg. 1/2 cup mince, 2 small chops, 2 slice of roast)
= 1/2 cup cooked or canned beans, lentils,
chick peas or split peas
= 80–120 g cooked fish fillet
= 2 small eggs
= 1/3 cup peanuts or almonds
= 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or sesame seeds
School aged
*Limit, as they
are high in sugar
and tend to cling
to teeth, causing
tooth decay
Recommended for children to years8 118 11years
Children
to
= 1 medium piece (eg. apple, banana, orange, pear)
= 2 small pieces (eg. apricots, kiwi fruit, plums)
= 1 cup diced or canned fruit
= 1/2 cup 100% juice
= dried fruit* (eg. 4 apricot halves,
11/2 tbsp sultanas)
*Limit, as they
are high in sugar
and tend to cling
to teeth, causing
tooth decay
4-6 serves
per day
1-2 serves
per day
Won't eat the evening meal
It's not unusual for busy children to eat very little at the
evening meal. Make sure after school snacks are
nutritious and varied. Try a sandwich and drink of milk
or even a bowl of soup and toast. Then just offer a small
serve of the family meal. Let your child tell you when
they are full. Don't argue and force them to finish the
food on the plate.
Is a fussy eater
Offer words of encouragement but don't force your
child to eat. Try not to fuss if your child refuses to eat a
particular food. Just keep offering that food at other
times. Some children need to see a new food ten to
fifteen times before they will try it. Seeing others enjoy
the food will help. Offer new foods with other foods
you know your child likes.
Asks for treats like lollies,
chips and take-away foods
Peer pressure and food marketing urging
children to try all sorts of foods can be
very strong. Most are not the type of
food you want your child to eat every
day. Many of these foods replace other
nutritious foods. They are high in energy
(kilojoules), which can lead to overweight
if eaten regularly, and they are costly.
Let your child try these foods occasionally
as a special treat, sharing them with all
the family. “Treats” are not needed in the
lunchbox every day.
if your child…What to do if your child…
Seems to be gaining too much weight
Limiting the amount of time spent in front of the TV or
computer is a proven start to a healthy weight.
Encourage your child to do something active – play
games or sports, walk to school if possible, or take the
dog for a walk. It's best if the family joins in some of
these physical activities every day.
Attention to diet is also important. Limit “extra” or
“treat” foods that are high in fat and sugar. Reduce
usual portion sizes a little.
Weight loss diets are not suitable for children unless
carefully supervised by a doctor or dietitian. Foods eaten
must be balanced with growth and development needs
and daily activity requirements. If you are worried about
your child's weight talk to your family doctor or
community/school health nurse.
ilk is an important drink for children as it
provides calcium needed for growing bones and
teeth. Three serves of dairy foods each day are
recommended for children. If your child does not drink
milk make sure they have yogurt or cheese. Calcium
fortified soy milk is also suitable.
Encourage your child to
drink plain water when thirsty.
Cordials, soft drinks and fruit juice should be limited.
They are all high in sugar and children who have a
sugary diet run the risk of tooth decay. The extra
kilojoules may also contribute to unhealthy weight. Filling
up on sweet drinks takes away the appetite for more
nutritious foods. Sweet drinks are not recommended.
Artificially sweetened drinks
are not suitable for children.
Fruit juice contains many important vitamins but it lacks
the fibre needed to prevent constipation. Limit intake to
150 mL per day. A piece of fresh fruit every day is better
for your child than fruit juice.
M
Is your child already used to sweet drinks?
• Start now to break the habit
• Be prepared for upsets
• Be patient. This may take time
• Try watering down the drinks
• Ration sweet drinks to once a day only
• Don't buy sweet drinks
• Don't drink them yourself
bad start?
Got off to a
What drinks are best?
Got off to a
10 feeding
school age children
tips for
1 Give children
a variety of different foods at all meals
and snacks
2 Snacks are
important. Offer
nutritious foods
like bread, crack
ers,
cheese, yogurt,
fruit
3 Provide
breakfast and
allow time for
children to
eat it
4 Eat together
as a family at
least once a da
y
6 Don't make a
fuss when your
child refuses a new food, but try again
several times 7 Let your child
tell you when th
ey
are full
8 Encourage
children to drink
plain water when
they are thirsty
9 Involve children
with planning and
preparing healthy
meals
10 Plan physical
activities for all t
he
family to encour
age
a healthy balanc
e
between food e
aten
and energy used
5 Pack your child's
lunch from home.
Involve children
in selection and
preparation from
a range of healthy
options
school age children
tips for
Frozen fruit, such as grapes, banana,
pear or rockmelon, make healthy iced snacks, perfect
in hot weather.
Blend fruit, such as strawberries, banana or
mango, with milk and a spoonful of low-fat yogurt to
make a delicious fruit smoothie.
Toast bread, muffins or fruit bread topped
with ricotta cheese and slices of banana, dust lightly
with cinnamon.
Cut vegies into bite-sized pieces and serve in
a small container so that children can help themselves.
Children prefer vegies raw or
lightly cooked, as in a stir-fry.
Add chopped tomato and green capsicum
to a can of baked beans. Use as a 'topper' on toast
or muffins, or a 'filler' for baked potatoes or jaffles.
Sprinkle with a little grated low-fat cheese.
Scrambled vegetables make a great
breakfast or tasty snack. Simply add cooked vegetables
– leftovers are fine – to lightly beaten eggs. Melt a little
polyunsaturated margarine in a pan, add mixture and
cook gently over low heat until eggs are firm.
Season with pepper and serve on toast.
Keep school lunches cool,
fresh and safe to eat by using a cool bag or placing a
bottle of frozen water in the lunch box. Instead of the
same old sandwiches you can expand the variety to
include salads, wraps using pita bread or tortillas, and
dips with rolls and cut up vegies.
children willlove
Healthy foods
Acknowledgement: The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating has been reproduced with kind
permission of the Australian Government of Health and Ageing.
For more information…
local Family doctor
local Community school/
Child health nurse
dietitians Association
of Australia
To find an Accredited
Practising Dietitian (APD)
in your local area visit the
‘Find an APD’ section of the
DAA website
www.daa.asn.au or call
the APD hotline on Freecall
1800 812 942.
ngala helpline
8:00am–8:00pm
7 days a week
Telephone (08) 9368 9368
Outside metro area – Freecall 1800 111 546
www.ngala.com.au
Parenting line/Parent help Centre
Telephone (08) 6279 1200 (24hr service)
Outside metro area – Freecall 1800 654 432
for healthy eating and recipe ideas for families
and children:
www.pgrprogram.com.au
www.det.wa.edu.au/healthyfoodanddrink
www.fruitnvegweek.health.wa.gov.au
www.gofor2and5.com.au
www.heartfoundation.org.au
www.meerilinga.org.au/Nutrition/LunchBoxWorld.aspx
www.raisingchildren.net.au