The advice follows the launch of a major new advertising campaign by theFood Standards Agency to raise awareness of the health risks of eatingtoo much saturated fat.
According to the FSA, most adults in the UK are eating about 20 per centmore than the maximum recommended amount of saturated fat.
Over time, a diet high in saturated fat can raise the level ofcholesterol in the blood, which can increase the risk of developingheart disease.
Although children under five should not be on a low-fat diet, the FSAsays that children could switch to semi-skimmed milk when they are two.Fully skimmed milk is not suitable until children are at least fiveyears old because it does not contain sufficient calories forgrowth.
The School Food Trust recommends semi-skimmed milk for children inprimary school.
Rosemary Hignett, FSA head of nutrition, said, 'Milk and dairy foodsprovide protein, vitamins and minerals and are a good source of caloriesfor growing children. As children grow older it is important to thinkabout encouraging them to eat healthily. Existing advice recommendsthat, as long as they are eating a varied and balanced diet, it is finefor them to move on to semi-skimmed milk from the age of two.'
She added, 'The Eatwell campaign gives simple practical tips so that wecan all reduce the amount of saturated fat we eat. One easy way to dothis is to swap whole milk for semi-skimmed or 1 per cent fat milk.'
The FSA has compiled a list of practical tips on the campaign website tohelp cut down on saturated fat with a new recipe section.
Further information
www.eatwell.gov.uk
