Recipes

We at PATCH encourage healthy eating within our support groups. All children need a healthy balanced diet in order to develop.

Children need small healthy snacks eg fresh fruit, raw vegetables, dried fruit, breadsticks, chunks of cheese, small pots of yogurt, toast and rice cakes in between meals for energy and growth.

Make meals interesting by presenting food in lots of different shapes and themes.

Let them feed themselves as much as possible. It may be messy so be prepared!

Your toddler learns from you so sit with them at mealtimes and make it a sociable, happy occasion.

Preparing meals and cooking with your child offers a wide range of development opportunities: language and communication, social skills, maths and scientific discovery, creative development, knowledge and understanding.

Hygiene rules

It’s never too early to learn about proper hygiene rules in the kitchen. Here are some essentials to teach your child:

1. Always wash hands thoroughly before starting to cook.
2. Wash all fruits and vegetables.
3. Use separate chopping boards for fruit and vegetables.
4. Store cooked and raw food separately and always wash your hands after handling raw meat or fish.
5. Always check the sell-by dates on ingredients.

	- Pear Hippo
	- Banana Milkshake

More Information

For more information and help and advice the following web sites provide lots of help and advice regarding healthy eating, recipes and nutrition.

www.healthystart.nhs.uk
www.eatwell.gov.uk
www.surestart.gov.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy-living/nutrition