How to make healthy food choices

A healthy diet is not only the type of food your child eats but also the amount of food they eat. All children should eat regularly, including healthy snacks. 

Good nutrition starts early in life. Wherever possible try to:

• Breastfeed.
• Introduce solids at around six months.
• Encourage a wide variety of nutritious foods. No particular food should be forced or overly restricted.
• Consider using reduced fat dairy products after two years of age.
• Offer mostly cereals, grains and breads, vegetables and fruits with moderate amounts of meat products and dairy foods.
• Use added fats (such as oil, margarine and butter) in small amounts.
• Offer fresh vegetables and fruit instead of processed snack foods.
• Include small amounts of treats such as cakes, chips or takeaway foods occasionally (once or twice per week). Enjoy them as a family.
• Offer children water when they are thirsty. Sweet drinks including juice, cordial and soft drinks are not necessary and can contribute to tooth decay.