Toddlers eat TOO MUCH fruit and veg, say experts

But it seems that toddlers, at least, can have too much of a good thing.

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Dieticians are warning that too much fibre and too little fat can lead to vitamin deficiencies and stunt growth in the under-fives.

Experts say this age group has different dietary requirements to school-age children and their developing bodies cannot cope with high quantities of fruit and vegetables.

The advice follows a trading standards study of nursery menus which found the majority were serving portions that were too small. Only 30 per cent were providing meals with enough calories.

Sarah Almond, a paediatric dietician who has analysed the results of the study, said: "We expected the study to show nurseries were serving children food that was too high in calories, fat, saturated fat and salt, and low in vegetables and fruit.

"Instead, we found the majority of nurseries had gone to the other extreme and appeared to be providing food that was too low in calories, fat and saturated fat and too high in fruit and vegetables."

Youngsters were being put at risk of developing nutritional deficiencies as a result, she said.

Mrs Almond, a guest lecturer on child health at Brighton University, said toddlers' bodies needed energy-rich foods, gleaned from a number of small meals and snacks spread through the day.

In addition, too many fibre-rich fruit and vegetables can inhibit the body's ability to absorb other nutrients, including key minerals such as iron, which is essential for growth, as well as for the health of blood and the immune system.

Fibre also fills children up quickly, stopping them from eating the calories they need to grow.

"Because a significant number of children attend nurseries from 7am to 7pm, the food and nutrition they receive there are key to their health," Mrs Almond told the Observer newspaper.

"Nurseries are applying requirements of healthy eating for school-age children and adults to the one-to-four age group, who have entirely different requirements."

In contrast to school meals, Government regulations do not cover the provision of toddlers' food.

Experts say the lack of legislation means the trading standards study of meals at ten nurseries in East Sussex is likely to be an accurate snapshot of what is happening nationwide.

Neil Leitch, of educational charity the Pre-School Learning Alliance, said nurseries were "over-focusing on the message about eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day".

"The nutritional content of toddlers' meals is a proper science and nurseries are simply not aware of the vital calories, fats, carbohydrate, sugars, protein, vitamins and minerals."

A separate study shows mothers are buying more fruit and veg and less chips and chocolate for their children.

Family shopping baskets contained around 10 per cent more healthy food at the end of the year-long study than at the start, and almost 5 per cent less of treats high in sugar and fat.

Food firm Crosse & Blackwell monitored the shopping baskets of 500 families with children under 16.