Healthcare Consumer

In Britain, iron deficiency in infants is common. Most babies are born with sufficient iron stores to last for four to six months, but after this time they need to obtain iron from their diet.

By the age of one year, your toddler should be joining in family meals. Eating well helps them to grow and develop properly and to stay healthy. Offering a varied and balanced diet should ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

Food is also a source of learning for your child. It is important to try to eat and enjoy food as a family as this will help your child to eat and try new foods. Children need the same nutrients as adults, but because toddlers can’t eat large amounts of food at one mealtime, it’s important to give them foods rich in calories and nutrients. Offer small regular meals with healthy snacks in between.

As in adults, lean red meat should form part of a healthy, balanced diet. Children aged two to five should move towards lower-fat meat products, which should be grilled, stewed or baked, rather than fried.

Younger children may have difficulty in chewing meat, in which case you can purée lean red meat with vegetables, moving on to looser purées or mince as their chewing abilities develop.

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