Nursery World - Almost half of meals served to young children are too big or too small

Analysis by the Infant & Toddler Forum (ITF) found 49 per cent of meals served to children aged between one and four were outside the recommended portion size range.

The ITF, which has analysed data provided by 270 parents on its online food tracker for children, Tot It Up, also found that:

Foods high in fat and sugar were usually overserved, while foods such as fruit and vegetables were often given in too small a portion, the research discovered.

Tot It Up allows parents and practitioners to input information on children’s food intake and physical activity levels on a daily or weekly basis. The tool then creates a personalised analysis of the child’s diet in light of current recommendations, and provides tips on portion size, healthy meal ideas and a range of physical activities to help make changes in order to maintain a healthy balance.

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