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Healthy eating tips for toddlers 

How can you help your child eat a variety of nutritious foods, especially fruit and vegetables? We know that parents want to do the best they can. Nutritious foods can provide the nutrients children need to grow healthily and maintain a healthy weight.  Avoid giving children foods and snacks that contain lots of fats and sugars like chips, biscuits, cakes, crisps and sweets. And watch out for sugar and salt in some manufactured baby foods, snacks and drinks. Lots of parents find using homemade food easier as they prefer to know exactly what’s in it. Don’t forget it is recommended that children only drink milk or water in their first few years.  For more information and ideas visit First Steps Nutrition.

If you are on a low income, your toddler may be eligible for Healthy Start which provides vouchers which can be exchanged for fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, infant formula and plain milk and free vitamin drops (this also applies to pregnant women on low incomes or aged under 18). You can check your eligibility for these vouchers by visiting the NHS health start website or by speaking to your midwife or health visitor.  You may also be eligible for food bank vouchers, again speak to your midwife or health visitor about this or visit Trussell Trust.