Eating Well for Early Years The Nutrition Team Nottingham Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service

The Nutrition Team Weaning Sessions Eatwell for Life Team of registered Nutritionists, Dietitians and Community Food Workers We deliver community nutrition interventions with adults, families and children living in the city

Encouraging children to eat well and learn about food when they are young protects their health and sets the foundation for their future health and well being Children are growing and developing rapidly in the first five years of life, and they need to eat nutritious meals and snacks regularly Almost a quarter of the reception age children measured in Nottingham were overweight or obese (2011/12) Early Years

Common nutritional problems Young children Iron deficiency Faddy eatingDental decay Vitamin D deficiency ConstipationObesity

Voluntary food and drink guidelines are available for early years settings Eatwell Early Years training is available free from The Nutrition Team at CityCare Practical programmes are available to promote healthy eating and physical activity e.g. Cook and Move, Tiny Cooks (supported delivery is available initially) Guidance

Tiny Cooks Healthy cooking for parents, carers and young children Bestwood Community Centre July 2013

Cook and Move Healthy cooking, games and activity for parents/carers and young children Meadows Children’s Centre summer 2013

Change4Life Change 4 Life for early years providers- sign up as a local supporter and receive free resources and updates Resources available –Start 4 Life –Early Years Supporters Toolkit –Games 4 Life –Ready, Steady, Go –Lazy Town –Recipes

Sustainable food Eating Well Sustainably: A Guide for Early Years Settings. First Steps Nutrition  Buy seasonal food where possible  Aim to use very few processed foods  Waste less food  Include peas, beans and lentils and reduce meat consumption  Grow food

Things to think about: Portion sizes – ‘Me size meals’, plate size Healthy Start – free vitamins for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children up to the age of 4 Strategies for coping with fussy eaters Hidden fat, sugar and salt in foods

Useful websites Children’s Food Trust ‘Eat Better, Start Better’ First Steps Nutrition Contact information: Tel: