HV just told me toddlers need just 2 (rather than 5) portions of fruit and veg

[sheeplikessleep]

Can't be right, can it?

Am sure my 2 year old would happily survive on a portion of peas and a banana every day (alongside carbs and protein) though

depnds what she means by portion. Maybe she meant 2 adult size portions? I was under the impression that a portion was basically a handfull. So five toddler size handfulls would probably be about 2 adult size ones?? [

if you can get 2 portions of f and v down them you're doing better than most, perhaps that's what she meant.

it's cos ds still has quite runny poos and i do think maybe i give him too much fruit and have tried to cut back.

but surely you can't eat too much veg? (unless child is underweight and needs more calories) not that i'm saying i find it easy to encourage ds to eat brocolli by any stretch

They should be getting at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, aiming for 10. Too much fruit can upset tummies, especially acidic fruit though, so good to try and give more veg

What ConnorTraceptive says

maybe she did mean 2 adult portions, but i don't think she said it in a way to suggest that. she said there is so much focus on fruit and veg now, that we're not giving our toddlers enough protein, carbs and fat, which is what they need.

i agree with her that there needs to be a balance, but can imagine some mums just thinking, great 1 portion of veg, 1 piece of fruit a day and lots of other stuff! on the face of what she said.

the 5 a day thing is aimed at children over 5 and there isnt a set guide for children below that age. From the food standards agency:

Does the advice to eat at least five portions of fruit and veg apply to young children?

Adults and children aged five and above are recommended to eat at least five portions of fruit and veg a day. Between the ages of two and five you can gradually start giving children fruit and veg, working up to five portions a day.

By the time your child is two years old, it's important to start introducing a variety of foods, including fruit and veg. Research shows that the more frequently different food is offered to children, the more likely they are to eat a varied diet later on. So don't be put off if your child doesn't eat a new food the first time you offer it. Try again several times

uh oh, my 10mo ate 4 pieces of fruit and 3 portions of veg today... VITAMIN OVERDOSE!!!!

Can I just add that most fruit should be offered BEFORE a meal when the person is hungry 'cos you get the benefit of it.A small child would n't need as much fruit as an adult of course but like debka there's no need to get obsessive about it. My dh and i have been doing this for years and he reckons it's cured his indigestion; it made my skin clear up that's for sure.