30 per cent of toddler meals not prepared by parents

Parents in the UK are relying on a network of people to provide their child’s meals due to the nature of our modern lifestyle.

A new survey from the Infant and Toddler Forum (ITF) discovered that the average toddler has nearly 30 per cent of their meals provided by people who are not their parents.

Nurseries, childminders and grandparents are some of the people feeding toddlers and concerns are being raised that children’s wellbeing may be affected if the quality and amount of food being provided to them is not consistent.

Parents revealed they are also concerned that those caring for their children are not providing healthy options and food suitable for their age, with 50 per cent worried their child is given too many treats.

Atul Singhal, Chair of the Infant and Toddler Forum believes that those caring for children and taking care of their nutritional needs should approach feeding toddlers with ‘confidence’.

This can be achieved by reading through the ‘Ten Steps’, a brand new guide for parents launched by the ITF.

The new guide has been produced by the ITF who have worked in partnership with healthcare professionals.

 Acting Chief Executive, Pre-school Learning Alliance, Neil Leitch says: “We all need to ensure that children start to develop healthy eating habits from the earliest possible age.  Our experience shows us that many settings do an admirable job of providing nutritious meals despite budgetary constraints, but there is room for improvement in some areas. The Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers is exactly the kind of practical resource that will help practitioners to get the balance right.”

Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers will be available for download from www.littlepeoplesplates.co.uk