Early Childhood nutrition

Good eating habits should be encouraged early in life. Care givers are the gate keepers to healthy eating. Encourage your child to drink water regularly, sweet drinks should be consumed much less frequently. Have healthy snack foods on hand. Keep portion size to a manageable level, yet have more food available if they are still hungry. Provide foods that the child likes, plus a new food to try. Accept that their taste for food will change on a regular basis. Serve a family favourite dish even if one child does not like it, just put a small amount on their plate and don't worry if they do not eat it.

As a caregiver you can support good eating habits by understanding that a number of eating behaviours are a part of normal child development. Appetite fluctuates day to day, depending on the level of activity and the rate of growth. Fussy eating is a normal developmental stage at this age.

In general the preschooler is progressively acquiring new skills, striving for independence and gaining competence in all sorts of activities. Although they rarely sit still, their growth has slowed so less food is often required. Offer healthy snacks but not before main meals, you want to encourage some food to be consumed during the family meal time. For very fussy eaters you may like to offer them a choice between two meals before you start to prepare dinner.

A keen sense of curiosity may mean your preschooler wants to assist in the kitchen and to participate in food preparation. This can often encourage more of an appetite if they have had some influence over the preparation.

Food fads are very common at this time. Preschoolers may insist on having a particular food prepared a certain way for several days then become fascinated with another food, this is often called fussiness but is actually normal development. Although the range of foods are limited at the time, they are gradually expanding their food choices. Although your child may seem confident with their eating skills always ensure that food is cut into manageable sizes. Children at this age can still choke on small hard bits of food. Hard fruits and vegetables can be grated or cooked to ensure safe eating.

(Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia 2003.[Online] Available at: www.NutritionAustralia.org)

The following links have been selected by the Lower Great Southern Communities for Children team. We have made every effort to select relevant sites that are informative and accurate. The material linked is to provide information only. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified practitioner. If you have any concerns see your GP, Practice Nurse or Child Health Nurse.

This website and the information provided is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified practitioner. If you have any concerns see your GP, Practice Nurse or Child Health Nurse.