Latest Irish dietary guidelines for toddlers and pre-school children - Foods & food groups

Latest scientific recommendations for Food Based Dietary Guidelines for 1-5 year olds in Ireland.

The diet of 1-5 year olds involves a transition from what was a predominantly milk-based diet to one which includes foods from all five food groups. The FSAI has published new scientific recommendations for Food Based Dietary Guidelines for 1-5 year olds in Ireland¹.

Food-based dietary recommendations 

The recommendations outlined below should be considered in their totality, i.e. the recommendations are not independent of each other. 

Variety

A wide variety of foods should be included in order to increase acceptability of, and familiarisation with, foods that are part of a lifelong healthy diet. 

Milk is a key food in the diets of toddlers and pre-school children      

An important source of a range of nutrients, including protein, and is a critical source of calcium. 

Recommended:

🗸 Daily intake of 550 mL of milk, or equivalent amounts of yogurt or cheese (200 mL of milk = 150 mL of yoghurt = 30 g of cheese)
🗸 Plant based milk replacement beverages (e.g. soya ‘milk’) can be used to replace cow’s milk, provided they are fortified with the same level of nutrients, particularly calcium.
✗ Rice, coconut and almond milks = Not recommended (they are nutritionally inadequate)
🗸 For 1-3yrs: (while not necessary) fortified full-fat milk, follow-on formula and young child formula (e.g. toddler milks) will contribute to the intake of three key nutrients (iron, vitamin D and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)

Breads, cereals, potatoes, pastas and rice 

An important source of calories and fibre. 

Recommended: 

🗸 Combination of both white and wholemeal breads, cereals, potatoes, pastas and rice will provide adequate fibre.
🗸 For children prone to constipation, an increased proportion of these foods can be given as wholemeal varieties.
🗸 Breakfast cereals fortified with iron and vitamin D.

Vitamin C containing fruit / vegetables + iron-fortified cereal = increase iron absorption.