Growth and development happen throughout childhood, and nutrition plays a vital role in supporting this. Therefore, is it very important that children and young people are provided with an age appropriate, varied and balanced diet to ensure they are getting the nutrients they need to support healthy growth and development.

Eatwell Guides 

These show us the recommended proportions of different food groups we should aim to eat over a day, for everyone aged 5+ (unless you have a medical condition and have been told otherwise by a healthcare professional). 

Children age 2-5 should be working towards these proportions.

There are a number of different Eatwell Guides for various dietary preferences – these contain different examples of foods from each food group.  

Click on the links to explore the different Eatwell Guides:

Recipes and Cooking 

Here we have a selection of cooking tips that you may find useful, along with some recipe booklets for you to enjoy! 

Children’s Nutrition Team Newsletter 

Our newsletters contain information on seasonal produce, recipes, ideas for outdoor and craft activities, information about local events and some signposting information.  

To receive the newsletter straight to your inbox, please email us to let us know you’d like adding to our newsletter mailing list. Note: we will only send you the seasonal newsletter via this list (four times a year).  

Vitamins & Minerals

Selective Eating

Selective eating will look different for different children. For some children selective eating may be related to a normal part of development or an intercurrent illness and should improve with time. For other children selective eating may persist longer, over time this could result in malnutrition. Please see our resources below to support your child with selective eating.

Managing Selective eating (Pre-school age children)

https://response.questback.com/somerset/prefussy

Managing Selective eating (School age children)

https://response.questback.com/somerset/prefussyschool

Frequently asked questions selective eating

https://patientwebinars.co.uk/condition/fussy-eating-in-children/webinars/fussy-eating-frequently-asked-questions/

Feeding guidance

https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/the-division-of-responsibility-in-feeding/#Trust%20your%20child%20to%20eat

Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy

Cow's milk protein allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children. Children with cow’s milk protein allergy need to follow a cow’s milk free diet to relieve symptoms. Please see below resources for advice on diagnosis of cow’s milk protein allergy and following a cow’s milk free diet.

Introduction to Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy

Introduction to cow's milk protein allergy

Following a Cow's milk free diet

https://youtu.be/kwx25za_k8k

 Weaning a child with an allergy/ allergies

https://youtu.be/CT5mW5PLUtI

Advice for professionals on diagnosis of cow’s milk protein allergy, and prescribing of specialist formulas for cow’s milk protein allergy

https://gmmmg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/GMMMG-CMPA-final-3.0-amended.pdf