Nutritional Guidance for Early Years: food choices for children aged 1-5 years in early education and childcare settings

Appendix 1 Nutrient guidance for children aged 1 to 5 years

Children, as individuals, have different energy and nutrient requirements depending on their age, gender, body size, rate of growth and level of activity. In the UK we have estimates for the average amount of energy and nutrients required for groups of children at different ages. These are known as the UK Dietary Reference Values²³ ( DRVs). The nutrient guidance in Tables 1 and 2 is based on the UKDRVs for groups of children aged 1 to 3 years and 3 to 5 years. The figures have been calculated from the dietary energy and nutrient reference values for boys, which are marginally higher than those for girls. As such, the nutrient guidance represents appropriate reference values for groups of children and does not apply to individuals.

Nutrient guidance is provided for one meal only (including drinks) (based on 30% of daily energy) and for a combined meal and snack (including drinks) (based on 40% of daily energy). Further guidance for snacks and drinks is also provided in sections 3.2 and 3.3.

The values in Table 1 represent the recommended average energy and nutrient intake from one meal (based on an average taken over five meals). The values in Table 2 represent the recommended average energy and nutrient intake from one meal and a snack (based on an average taken over five meal/snack combinations). This would apply, for example, to a combined meal and snack (e.g. morning snack and lunch) provided for children who are in early years care or education. The average is taken over five days because energy and most nutrient requirements are met over a period of time, rather than within any one day.

To help with food choices and setting menus to meet the nutrient guidance, menu-planning guidance and a sample 10 day menu is provided in sections 2.3 and 2.4. The menu is designed to meet the energy and nutrient guidance ( with the exception of salt and vitamin D - see Appendix 2). This is a sample menu and does not cover the full range of food choices suitable for each age group. The weights of foods used in the menu are given in Appendix 3.

Table 1: Energy and nutrient guidance for a meal providing 30% of daily energy. This would apply to, for example, lunch provided to children aged 1 to 5 years who are in early years care or education.

EAR (estimated average requirement): the amount that satisfies 50% of the children in a group (defined by age and gender).
RNI (reference nutrient intake): the amount of a nutrient that is sufficient to meet the dietary requirements for about 97% of the children in a group (defined by age and sometimes by gender). Intakes above this amount will almost certainly be adequate.
Percentage of energy (%): energy in kilojoules (kJ) provided as fat, carbohydrate and non-milk extrinsic sugars.
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition ( SACN):Salt and Health (2003) London www.sacn.gov.uk

a Added sugars: these are sometimes known as non-milk extrinsic sugars ( NMES) or free sugars and are found in sweets, biscuits, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, table sugar, honey and fruit juice. They are not found in plain milk or in foods such as fruit and vegetables.

Table 2: Energy and nutrient guidance for a snack and meal combination. This would apply, for example, to a morning snack and lunch provided to children aged 1 to 5 years who are in early years care or education.

EAR (estimated average requirement): the amount that satisfies 50% of the children in a group (defined by age and gender).
RNI (reference nutrient intake): the amount of a nutrient that is sufficient to meet the dietary requirements for about 97% of the children in a group (defined by age and sometimes by gender). Intakes above this amount will almost certainly be adequate.
Percentage of energy (%): energy in kilojoules (kJ) provided as fat, carbohydrate and non-milk extrinsic sugars.
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition ( SACN):Salt and Health (2003) London www.sacn.gov.uk

a Added sugars: these are sometimes known as non-milk extrinsic sugars ( NMES) or free sugars and are found in sweets, biscuits, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, table sugar, honey and fruit juice. They are not found in plain milk or in foods such as fruit and vegetables.