HEALTHY EATING AND LIVING GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN’S
CENTRES
Childhood obesity is a key issue and high on the national agenda with targets being set to reduce
levels of obesity in children as they start school. Preschool children who are overweight are not only
likely to have asthma and sleep disorders but also may develop a range of health problems.
Furthermore, the evidence suggests that obesity can track into adult life. It maybe easier to prevent
obesity early in childhood when lifestyle patterns are yet to be established, so it is important that
children have healthy foods from the start. Parents and carers are influential in shaping children’s
eating habits, as our diet is determined by our earliest eating experiences it is therefore important to
provide children with healthy foods from the start.
The Children’s Centres are committed to encouraging healthy eating. To do this we will make every
effort to help educate the parents/carers and children who attend the centre about the importance of
a healthy balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Any cultural, religious and other dietary requirements
must be taken into consideration and the Centre staff should also try to lead by example.
Breastfeeding will be encouraged and supported at ALL times; breastfeeding is welcome anywhere
in the Children’s Centre. Should a mother wish to feed in private, where possible, a room will be
offered.
Children should be encouraged to develop good eating skills and mealtimes should be an
enjoyable, social occasion for all. Tables and chairs should be cleaned and set out to encourage
this. Where possible, high chairs and low chairs will be set out facing each other to promote a more
social group.
All under 5’s should drink whole milk. Water will be available at all times, baby juices, flavoured
water, fizzy drinks and squash are not recommended. Snacks should be low in sugar and salt.
What is good to eat:5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, but what makes a portion – all of the below = 1 portion

Two spoons of raw, frozen or tinned vegetables

Three spoons of stewed or canned fruit

One spoon of dried fruit

One piece of fresh fruit or a big slice of melon or pineapple.
Why not try the following healthy choices:A small bowl of salad
Vegetables on your pizza
A glass of fruit juice
Baked Beans
Tomato sauce on pasta
Sweet corn in a tuna melt
Baked Potato
Raw vegetable sticks
Plain biscuits such as water biscuits, breadsticks, cream crackers, crisp breads, Cornish wafers and
Melba toast
Matzos, rice cakes (not caramel), savoury scones.
Sandwiches or rolls filled with meat, cheese, egg, tuna, ham, salad and vegetables.
Why not try a Strawberry Smoothie, all you need are some strawberries and some low fat yoghurt,
blend them with a whisk or in a food processor and enjoy! Make a fruit salad, chop all your
favourite fruits into small pieces, put them in a bowl, it’s colourful and appealing and then add some
natural fromage frais. Grill rather than fry food; try to eat a variety of foods, use fresh produce
where available. Try not to eat salty, sugary foods such as crisps, chips, sausage rolls and try to
avoid ready meals. Make meal times sociable times where children feel comfortable and
encourage them to try new things. Ensure that young children are offered age appropriate utensils.
Where necessary inform the Centre staff if your child has any allergies such as a nut allergy, wheat
intolerance or food colouring sensitivity. Adults and children’s hands should be washed before and
after snacks.
Exceptions must be made for children with eating and drinking difficulties who would be exposed to
significant risk of choking or aspiration if presented with inappropriate food/drink textures. In such
cases, a Speech and Language Therapist will recommend specific food or drink, necessary to
develop eating and drinking skills as appropriate to the child’s individual needs, which may not
comply with this guidance. The Speech and Language Therapist will aim to progress the child’s
eating and drinking skills such that they are able to safely cope with more healthy foods as soon as
developmentally appropriate.
Children are encouraged to use suitable drinking vessels. Open topped cups and beakers should
be encouraged from 6 months old. Spouted beakers/sports bottles prolong the use of sucking and
prevent the development of more mature drinking skills. Grazing on food and drinks should be
discouraged as it inhibits a healthy appetite and prevents routines developing.
Bottles should be discouraged from the age of one and should not be heated in a microwave. A
bottle warmer will be available. Doidy cups are available for purchase; please see a member of the
Health Care Team for more information.
Parents/carers and children who are on special diets or with cultural needs will be asked to
provide as much information as possible about suitable foods, and in some cases may be asked to
provide the food themselves.
Withholding food/drinks will not be used as a form of punishment, nor will any sort of food be used
as a reward. Gifts from the Children’s Centre will be a non food source, story books, colouring
books, crayons and stickers, sugary foods will not to be given as treats.
Children should be encouraged to play outside, weather permitting. This will ensure they have
adequate opportunity to be exposed to sunlight, which helps their bodies’ make vitamin D and
promotes good sleeping habits.
Whenever possible, dummies should be removed once babies have settled into their surroundings.
This helps promote better speech, communication and oral development. It will also avoid trauma to
the mouth if an accident occurs.
At special events, where food is included at mealtimes, a range of nutritional healthy food should be
provided. Food ingredients should be made clear to avoid bringing on allergic reactions because
homemade food could contain traces of nuts etc. Commercially bought food can be high in salt and
sugar.
As Children’s Centre staff and parents/carers are role models, they should try to encourage healthy
eating by setting a good example. The Children’s Centres Healthy Eating and Living Guidelines
should be promoted at all meetings, groups and during all activities.
Preparation and handling of food must be done in line with guidelines of basic food hygiene
regulations. The “Food Standards Agency” food hygiene records will be completed during groups.
Here are some suggestions to help you live a healthier life:Be Active
Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Get of the bus two stops before your destination and walk
that little bit extra. Use the stairs not the lift or escalator. Try walking or cycling to work/school
everyday. Take part in physical exercise by for example playing football with your children
Eat Well
Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day as part of a balanced diet and drink lots of
water. Don’t skip breakfast. Eat more fish.
Express Yourself
Talk to someone you trust, keep a diary or write a poem, draw or paint a picture. Turn the radio up
and express yourself by singing along. Don’t keep things bottled up!
Chill Out
Take time to do something you enjoy, maybe listen to music or read a book.
Sleep well
Ideally as an adult you should be getting 6 – 8 hours sleep a night.
Brush your teeth twice a day.
If you can achieve even some of these changes it will help to give you more energy and make you
feel better and more positive about your health.
For more information try looking at www.coolfoodplanet.org.uk or www.foodfitness.org.uk or
www.nhs.uk/change4life the Food Standards Agency or the National Institute for Health and Clinical
Excellence (NICE) Website.
This has been produced with input from the following - Birchwood Children’s Centre Health Team,
Dental Health, Speech and Language Therapy and the LPCT Health Team Co-ordinators at
Gainsborough and Grantham Children’s Centres.