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Publication - Advice and guidance

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

Published
23 January 2006
Topic
Health and social care
ISBN
0755947878

Nutritional guidance for early education and childcare settings for children aged 1-5

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Appendix 3 Menus 2 and 3 with weighted portion sizes

Menu 2: A 10-day menu with weighted portions for children aged 1 to 3 years

Day

Breakfast

Mid-morning snack

Lunch

Mid-afternoon snack

Tea

1

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
porridge (110g) served with milk (50ml)
toasted wholemeal bread (small slice, 25g) with spread (5g)

milk (100ml)
mini Scotch pancake, (20g) with spread (3g)
tangerine (50g)

spaghetti bolognese b (150g, including sauce and spaghetti) with added carrots (40g)
custard (60g) and apricots (50g)

milk (100ml)
1/ 2 small banana (50g)
fresh apple (50g) served with plain yoghurt as a dip (40g)

cheddar cheese (30g) and tomatoes (50g) on toasted white bread (45g) with spread (5g)
mandarin oranges in juice (50g) with vanilla ice cream (40g)

2

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
Weetabix (20g) with milk (50ml)
small slice wholemeal toast (25g) with spread (5g) and jam (5g)

milk (100ml)
bread sticks (20g)
cheese cubes (10g)
apple chunks (50g)

small wholemeal pitta bread (35g) with chicken b (40g)
and sweetcorn (35g) served with sliced cherry tomatoes (30g) and diced cucumber (20g)
milk jelly (70g) topped with chopped pineapple (40g)

milk (100ml)
mini fruit scone (25g) with spread (5g)
1 plum (55g)

vegetable soup (150g)
crusty white bread (40g) with spread (5g)
custard (80g) and peaches (50g)

3

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
sliced hard-boiled egg c (50g) on a small slice of toasted wholemeal bread (40g) with spread (10g)

milk (100ml)
toasted teacake (30g) and spread (5g)

pork and beef sausage b (grilled) (40g), baked potato (75g), baked beans (80g)
dried apricot (15g)
raisins (15g)

milk (100ml)
fresh banana (30g)
plain fromage frais (60g)

chicken risotto b (150g) with added mushrooms (20g)
apple crumble (70g) with milk (25ml)

4

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
cornflakes (20g) with milk (50ml) and raisins (20g)
small slice of toasted white bread (25g) with spread (5g)

milk (100ml)
small banana (80g) or finger food selection, e.g. 1/ 2 banana and 4 grapes

sliced hard-boiled egg c
(50g) with wholemeal bread soldiers (30g) with spread (7g)
rice pudding (100g) with sultanas (10g)

milk (100ml)
mini muffin toasted (40g) with spread (5g)
melon slices (40g)

minced beef b in gravy (90g), mashed potatoes (90g), broccoli (50g)
fruit cocktail in juice (60g)

5

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
baked beans (60g)
toasted muffin (40g) with spread (5g)

milk (100ml)
crumpet (20g) with spread (5g)
fresh peach (50g)

wholemeal roll (50g) with spread (7g), filled with ham b (30g) tomato (35g) and served with carrot sticks (30g)
apple sponge pudding (50g)

milk (100ml)
pineapple in juice (50g) served with some plain yoghurt (40g)

grilled salmon b (50g) basted with olive oil (5g) with new potatoes (100g) and green beans (40g)
fruit fromage frais (60g) served with strawberries (40g)

6

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
puffed wheat (20g) with milk (50ml)
toasted white bread (small slice, 25g) with spread, (5g) and jam (8g)

milk (100ml)
grapes (30g)
banana (30g)
melon (30g)

lean beef stew b (90g) with boiled potatoes (100g), turnip boiled (30g), carrots (30g)
fruit crumble (60g) and custard (40g)

water
muffin (35g)
apple (30g)

ciabatta (35g) with cheddar cheese (20g) and tomatoes (50g)
fruit yoghurt (80g) with pears in juice (60g)

7

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
porridge (110g made with milk) with milk (50ml)
small half slice toast (15g) with spread (5g)

milk (100ml)
plain scones (25g) and spread (10g)
tangerine (30g)

pitta bread (35g) filled with tuna b (45g) and sweetcorn (20g) with plain yoghurt (20g) served with tomatoes (20g)
milk jelly (90g) with mandarin oranges (50g)

milk (100ml)
chopped carrots (30g) and cucumber (30g) sliced cherry tomatoes (30g)

Spanish omelette (80g) and baked potatoes (80g)
apple pie (60g) with vanilla ice cream (40g)

8

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
grilled bacon b (25g) with sliced tomato (50g)
small slice of toasted wholemeal bread (25g) with spread (10g)

milk (100ml)
banana (80g)
pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a

crusty bread (40g) with spread (10g)
sardines (40g) with sliced tomato (50g)
1 carton fruit yoghurt with
6 chopped grapes

milk (100ml)
Scotch pancakes (20g) with spread
strawberries (40g)

lentil soup (150g)
wholemeal bread (25g) with spread (5g), cold roast turkey b (25g) with lettuce (10g), sliced tomatoes (50g) and cranberry sauce (10g)

9

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
porridge (110g made with milk) served with milk (50ml)
small slice of toasted white bread (25g) with spread (5g)

milk (100ml)
cheese scone (25g) with spread (10g) and sliced cherry tomatoes (45g)

mild chicken korma b (90g) with boiled rice (80g) and naan bread (25g)
fruit yoghurt (60g)

milk (100ml)
banana (80g) or finger food selection: chopped banana (30g), apple (30g) and oatcake (15g)

mini wholemeal roll (30g) with spread (10g), sliced hard-boiled egg c (50g) sliced tomato (35g) and mustard and cress
sponge pudding (50g) and fruit cocktail (40g)

10

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
scrambled egg c (60g) on wholemeal toast (25g) with spread (5g)

water
plain fromage frais (60g)
plums (30g)

vegetable lasagne (160g)
garlic bread (25g)
rice pudding (100g) with pureed apples (30g)

milk (100ml)
cream crackers (10g) with cheddar cheese (15g) and apple (40g)

minestrone soup (150g)
white bread toasted (45g) with spread (10g), ham b (25g), and pineapple (40g)

a We suggest that pure, unsweetened orange juice is diluted about 50:50 juice to water throughout. However, it can be served undiluted, or with a greater proportion of water to juice if a longer, more thirst-quenching drink is preferred.
b For vegetarian options for meat, fish and chicken the following can be used as substitutes: for beef stew, beef could be substituted with chickpeas or kidney beans; in bolognese, meat could be substituted with soya mince; cheese, hummus or egg could replace tuna; chicken could be substituted with lentils or chickpeas. Other suitable substitutes are veggie sausages, quorn, peanut butter, baked beans, cheese and bean burgers.
c Where fresh eggs are not used to avoid the risk of Salmonella, sliced hard-boiled eggs and scrambled eggs can be substituted with dried powdered egg.
d The spread used is monounsaturated or polyunsaturated - this applies to all references to 'spread' throughout the document.

Menu 3: A 10-day menu with weighted portions for children aged 3 to 5 years

Day

Breakfast

Mid-morning snack

Lunch

Mid-afternoon snack

Tea

1

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
porridge made with milk (140g) served with
milk (50ml)
toasted wholemeal bread small slice (25g) with spread (10g) and jam (15g)

milk (100ml)
mini Scotch pancake (30g) with spread (10g)
tangerine (50g)

spaghetti bolognese b
(200g, including sauce and spaghetti) with added carrots (40g)
custard (100g) and apricots (50g)

milk (100ml)
1/ 2 small banana
fresh apple (65g) served with plain yoghurt as a dip (80g)

cheddar cheese (45g) on toasted white bread (45g) with spread (15g) tomatoes (50g)
mandarin oranges in juice (50g) with vanilla ice cream (50g)

2

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
Weetabix (30g) with milk (100ml)
small slice wholemeal toast (25g) with spread (10g) and jam (15g)

milk (100ml)
bread sticks (25g)
cheese cubes (15g)
apple chunks (50g)

small wholemeal pitta
bread (75g) with roast chicken b (50g) and sweetcorn (35g) served with sliced cherry tomatoes (35g) and diced cucumber (20g)
milk jelly (110g) with chopped pineapple (70g)

milk (100ml)
mini fruit scone (25g) with spread (10g)
1 plum (55g)

vegetable soup (220g)
crusty white bread (50g) spread (5g)
custard (100g) and
peaches (60g)

3

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
sliced hard-boiled egg c (50g)
small slice of toasted wholemeal bread (40g) with spread (15g)

milk (100ml)
toasted teacake (50g)

pork and beef sausage b (grilled) (55g), baked potato (100g), baked beans (80g)
dried apricot (20g)
raisins (20g)

milk (100ml)
fresh banana (30g)
plain fromage frais (60g)

chicken risotto b (180g)
with added mushrooms (30g)
apple crumble (95g) and milk (25ml)

4

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
cornflakes (30g) with milk (100ml) and raisins (20g)
slice of toasted white bread
(35g) with spread (5g)

milk (100ml)
small banana (50g)
grapes (20g)

sliced hard-boiled egg c (50g) with wholemeal bread soldiers (60g) bread with spread (15g)
rice pudding (150g) with sultanas (20g)

milk (100ml)
mini muffin (40g) with spread (10g)
melon slices (40g)

minced beef b in gravy (150g),
mashed potatoes (120g),
broccoli (50g)
fruit cocktail in juice (90g)

5

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
baked beans (80g)
toasted muffin (50g) with spread (15g)

milk (100ml)
crumpet (40g) with spread (10g)
fresh peach (50g)

wholemeal rolls (60g) with spread (15g), filled with ham b (30g), tomato (35g) and served with carrot sticks (35g)
apple sponge pudding (90g)

water
pineapple in juice (80g) served with plain yoghurt (80g)

grilled salmon b (75g) basted with olive oil (10g) with boiled potatoes (100g) and green beans (50g)
fruit fromage frais (60g) served with strawberries
(40g)

6

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
puffed wheat (30g) with milk (100ml)
toasted white bread (small slice 35g) with spread (5g) and jam (10g)

milk (100ml)
grapes (30g)
banana (30g)
melon (30g)

lean beef stew b (105g) with boiled potatoes (100g), turnip boiled (40g) and carrots (40g)
fruit crumble (95g) and custard (60g)

water
muffin (40g)
apple (50g)

ciabatta (50g) with cheddar cheese (35g) and tomatoes (50g)
fruit yoghurt (125g) with pears in juice (80g)

7

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
porridge (130g made with milk) served with milk (100ml)
small slice toast (25g) with spread (10g)

milk (100ml)
plain scones (25g) with spread (10g)
tangerine (50g)

pitta bread (75g) filled with tuna b (45g) and sweetcorn (40g) with plain yoghurt (40g) served with tomatoes (50g)
milk jelly (150g) topped with mandarin oranges (50g)

milk (100ml)
crackers (10g)
plain yoghurt (80g)
chopped carrots (35g), cucumber (30g) and sliced cherry tomatoes (45g)

Spanish omelette c (120g), baked potatoes (110g)
apple pie (90g) and
vanilla ice cream (40g)

8

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
grilled bacon b (25g) with sliced tomato (60g)
small slice of toasted wholemeal bread (40g) with spread (10g)
milk (100ml)

milk (100ml)
banana (100g)

crusty bread (50g) with spread (10g)
sardines b (50g) with sliced tomato (50g)
fruit yoghurt (125g)
chopped grapes (30g)

milk (100ml)
Scotch pancakes (30g) with spread (5g)
strawberries (50g)

lentil soup (170g)
wholemeal bread (70g) with spread (10g), cold roast turkey b (45g) with lettuce (20g), sliced tomatoes (50g) and cranberry sauce (20g)

9

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
porridge (140g made with milk) served with milk (100ml)
small slice of toasted white bread (40g) with spread (10g)

milk (100ml)
cheese scone (40g) with spread (10g) and sliced cherry tomatoes (45g)

mild chicken korma b (100g) with boiled rice (100g) and naan bread (50g)
fruit yoghurt (80g)

milk (100ml)
banana (50g)
apple (50g)
oatcake (15g)

mini wholemeal roll (50g) with spread (10g), sliced hard-boiled egg c (50g), tomato (35g) and mustard and cress
sponge pudding (90g) and fruit cocktail (60g)

10

pure, unsweetened orange juice (30ml) diluted with water a
scrambled egg c (70g), toast (35g) with spread (10g)

water
plain fromage frais (100g)
plums (55g)

vegetable lasagne (180g)
garlic bread (40g)
rice pudding (150g) with pureed apples (30g)

milk (100ml)
cream crackers (15g) with cheddar cheese (25g) and apple (50g)

minestrone soup (170g)
white bread toasted (55g) with spread (15g), ham b (30g) and pineapple (40g)

a We suggest that pure, unsweetened orange juice is diluted about 50:50 juice to water throughout. However, it can be served undiluted, or with a greater proportion of water to juice if a longer, more thirst-quenching drink is preferred.
b For vegetarian options for meat, fish and chicken the following can be used as substitutes: for beef stew, beef could be substituted with chickpeas or kidney beans; in bolognese, meat could be substituted with soya mince; cheese, hummus or egg could replace tuna; chicken could be substituted with lentils or chickpeas. Other suitable substitutes are veggie sausages, quorn, peanut butter, baked beans, cheese and bean burgers.
c Where fresh eggs are not used to avoid the risk of Salmonella, sliced hard-boiled eggs and scrambled eggs can be substituted with dried powdered egg.
d The spread used is monounsaturated or polyunsaturated - this applies to all references to 'spread' throughout the document.

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