Nursery World - What to eat. Insight: food guidelines

A pioneering set of guidelines for the best food to serve to young children has been updated, and it makes a valuable resource for all settings, says Mary Whiting Having nutrient-based standards for children's food, such as those pioneered by the Caroline Walker Trust (CWT), is the easiest way of ensuring that children eat well.

Having nutrient-based standards for children's food, such as those pioneered by the Caroline Walker Trust (CWT), is the easiest way of ensuring that children eat well.

Evidence shows that the diets of under-fives are too low in vitamins A and C, in iron and zinc, and for some groups, vitamin D. Children are also eating too few fruits and vegetables while over-consuming sugar and salt.

But until the publication of the first CWT report in 1998, there were no UK nutrient-based standards for food for under-fives in childcare.

The updated report's guidelines are comprehensive, with practical and nutritional guidelines, a training manual and a CD. It says the quality of food provided by childcarers is becoming increasingly important.

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