Kids recipe book

Happy, healthy kids reaching their potential. We all want this for our children. As parents we can help our kids achieve this by encouraging a love of good food and good nutrition from an early age. Importantly, growing bodies need the right mix of fuel and nutrients to be the best they can possibly be. Well-nourished children have more energy, greater concentration and less illness.

An eating pattern that includes a variety of foods from across the food groups will provide children with the range of nutrients they need. This includes: Eating plenty of vegetables, legumes and fruits and lots of breads and cereals (preferably wholegrain), including rice, pasta and noodles Consuming lean meat, fish, poultry and/or alternatives Enjoying milk, yogurt, cheese (reduced-fat varieties are suitable for children over 2 years) Drinking plenty of water As one of the core food groups, dairy foods are a good source of calcium and contain 9 other essential nutrients. Three serves of dairy every day will ensure children get most of the calcium they need for building strong bones. A serve of dairy might be a glass of milk, 40g (or 2 slices) of cheese or a tub of yogurt. You’ll find many other great ways of including dairy in your children’s day throughout this recipe book. But food is much more than simply fuel and nutrients. Food should taste good, food should be fun, food should be social – it should be enjoyed! Offer children the opportunity to experience a wide range of foods, with different tastes and textures. Encourage them to get involved in food purchase and preparation. Use your imagination to present food in fun and creative ways. This booklet contains some great ideas to get you started.