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- Diet & Nutrition
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- Obesity
Diet & Nutrition
Diet and nutrition are fundamental to health throughout life. A good diet can help reduce the risk of a number of health problems including obesity, heart disease, some cancers and type-2 diabetes.
Sure Start aims to encourage parents, carers and early years practitioners to inform themselves on how to give children the healthiest start in life. Nutritional patterns are set early on, and so infancy and childhood are of critical importance in the development of healthy bodies and habits that can impact on health later in life. For example, through breastfeeding, which supplies babies with all the nutrients they need and provides both mother and baby with a range of health benefits, the current advice is to continue for six months or longer.
Use the links below to find out more about diet and nutrition. The websites have advice ranging from healthy eating prior to conception, through to breastfeeding and weaning babies, as well as general information on eating well.
Please note that Sure Start is not responsible for the content of these websites.
If you have any suggestions for this site please contact our Public Enquiry Unit on 0870 0002288 or email info.surestart@dfes.gsi.gov.uk.
1. Pregnancy
BBC website advice on eating during pregnancy
Nutrition during pregnancy advice from the British Nutritional Foundation
Food Standards Agency's nutrition advice for pregnant women
2. Breastfeeding
BBC website advice on breastfeeding
Food Standards Agency's advice on breastfeeding
Advice about breastfeeding from the NHS
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative
3. Weaning
Information leaflet on weaning from the Department of Health
Food Standards Agency's advice on weaning
4. Children from 0 to teens
Advice on nursery school lunches
Food Standards Agency's nutrition advice for children
Advice on feeding fussy eaters from the Health Living website
5. Healthy Eating
Recipe ideas from the BBC website
Food Standards Agency website advising on salt consumption
The NHS website for the 5 A DAY programme
Scottish Executive publication on developing healthy eating habits
6. General diet and nutrition advice
You can find further information and guidance on diet and nutrition from the following sources:
BBC Comprehensive advice on diet, nutrition, recipes, lifestyle choices from the BBC.
www.bbc.co.uk/health/ healthy_living/nutrition/
British Nutrition Foundation UK based organisation that helps interpret nutritional knowledge based on scientific information.
Caroline Walker Trust Charitable Trust dedicated to improving public health through good food; producing guidelines for parents/carers, babies, young children and staff in early years' settings.
Department of Health Providing health and social care policy, guidance and publications.
Food in Schools: A short guide for Parents and Carers. Informs you of what your child should be eating and drinking at school and what they should be learning about food.
Food in Schools: A short guide for Parents and Carers (pdf)
Food Standards Agency The Agency is an independent Government Department set up in 2000 to protect public health and consumer interests in relation to food.
www.food.gov.uk/ healthiereating/
Healthy Start NHS website which provides tips on giving children the best start in life.
National Children's Bureau Newsletter with information on promoting healthy lifestyles among children and young people.
Sure Start Children's Centres: Practice Guidance Intended for Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts, children's centre managers and practitioners.
The Food Commission A national non-profit organisation campaigning for the right to safe, wholesome food.
Wired for Health Provides a range of health information that relates to the National Curriculum and the National Healthy Schools Programme.
British Dietetic Association
