Ask Birds Eye’s nutrition expert your questions about children’s nutrition to win a £150 voucher NOW CLOSED

[AmeliaMumsnet]

With the internet and TV playing host to such a broad range of voices and opinions, there’s no limit to the amount of information you can find about children’s nutrition at the touch of a button. But with so much information out there, it can be difficult to know who to trust. So, Birds Eye have asked children’s nutrition expert, Lauren Woodley, to answer some of your questions and hopefully help to make tea time slightly less stressful.

Here’s what they have to say: ‘Tea time can be the most stressful part of the day when you have a family to feed and coming up with nutritious and tasty meals that your DCs will enjoy is not easy. That’s why Birds Eye frozen chicken is always made with 100% chicken breast, barn-reared chickens and no artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. We’ve enlisted the help of nutritionist Lauren Woodley to answer some of your questions, and hopefully make tea time that bit easier!’

Post any questions you have about the nutritional value of the foods you give your children on the thread below and we’ll choose 20 for Lauren to answer. Everyone who posts their questions will be entered into a prize draw for a £150 of their choice (from a list).

Here’s some information about Lauren Woodley:

‘Lauren Woodley is a registered nutritionist working for Birds Eye. She holds an accredited Nutrition BSc, and has had a career as an industry nutritionist for the past five years. Lauren is especially passionate about nutrition education, demystifying nutrition science and translating it into simple, consumer-friendly messages.’

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw,

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

How much sugar is too much? Should I include fruit in their sugar count?

Is there a recomended ratio of cards/protein/fat for children like there is for adults?

My 5 year old son really enjoys fruit and would eat it all day long if he was allowed. Should I be worried about the sugar content?

I know that a wide variety of vegetables are needed to provide the best nutritional intake, but is it better to have for example garden peas just about everyday rather than going without?
My worry is that this may cause an 'overload' problem so having days off would be beneficial sometimes. Or am I talking nonsense? I suppose this question applies to anyone with ds or dd who has quite a limited diet.

Do you have any tips on increasing the amount of vegetables in a child's diet? I have a green-phobic 4 year old!

Are you aware of www.pcrm.org/?

What about nutritionfacts.org/?

Here's some info specifically about chicken: nutritionfacts.org/?fwp_search=chicken&fwp_content_type=video

Or www.dresselstyn.com/site/plant-based-nutrition/?

Also www.drmcdougall.com/.

I have never fed chicken carcass (or any animal's flesh or bodily secretions (eggs, honey, milk) to my children. Somehow they are thriving.

Mumsnet, I wish you would ask one of the above-mentioned doctors to offer nutritional guidance.

My son refuses any vegetables at all - I give him a vitamin and mineral supplement. He will eat 1-2 pieces of fruit a day - is there anything else I should be giving him?

My teenage daughter has become more fussy about the foods she eats and has now given up meat, eggs and dairy altogether. What foods could she now eat instead to make up the nutrients she is missing?

What can you do about one who I spoke vegetarian and refuses to eat vegetables?

I hardly ever give my DC chocolate/ sweets / cake etc but do give them snacks such as raisins/ oat bars/ fruit pouches etc.
I see these as a healthier option but realise they contain lots of sugar too!
Am I doing the right thing or should I be leaving these sorts of snacks out too?
Thanks

Can you please suggest a sample menu for a week of evening meals that's varied and nutritious for a growing child? Thank you!

Hi! mum of 4 here, a lot of your birdseye chicken burgers and fish fingers consumed in this house, especially when kids friends are here! Makes for a easy dinner that I know they will eat! Only thing is my youngest who is 5 is a very fussy eater and sometimes will only eat toast for dinner how can I help her? I always make her same food as the others but she will refuse to eat it! Help!

only sweet treats on Saturday

How much fruit is too much? Do nutritional benefits outweigh the sugars or should fruit be limited?

Plenty of fruit and especially veg in our diet and always available. Everything in moderation i.e. a few sweets after school/day or a little Easter Choc just once a day

Little 41/2 yr old fussy but eats a variation of good food and totally devours all on her plate at Sunday dinner

Is it better to have squash to get lots of fluid into kids, or insist they drink plain water, but they hardly drink at all?

Oh a couple of quick questions - Are frozen vegetables really as good and nutritious (and some say better than) fresh vegetables? Also, what are the pros and cons of introducing vegetable and fruit smoothies into a Childs diet? do you think it is a way of reaching your minimum 5 a day goal or do you like me worry that children will drink as opposed to learn to eat, chew and enjoy their food

My dd age 4 loves fruit and veg, but also has a sweet tooth. She has a balanced diet, however should she be having a multivitamin at all, the Dr once suggested they were a waste of time.

At what age should lower fat products be introduced?

If giving birds eye chicken which is healthier breaded or battered chicken and what are healthy suggestions to give with the chicken

I have a family history of type 2 diabetes and try very hard to make sure my child has nutritionally balanced food, but as he is fussy this proves difficult, he is not a fan of veg although he loves fruit and salad, How do I balance meals for him with this in mind

My DS3 is revising for exams and seems to spend half his time in the kitchen looking for snacks! What can I give him that isn't a huge distraction, but is tasty and healthy and preferably good brain food?

Both of my children are ridiculously routine with breakfast - they have the same thing every single day. I'm a cop out when it comes to doing battle with them first thing in the morning - I just want them to have something inside them before they go to school. Do I really need to toughen up on this one and make them eat more varied foods? They do eat brilliantly for the rest of the day, always eat their school lunches and a proper tea at home each night...

my just 3, and 6 year old eat about the same amounts, neither are overweight and very active, is that normal that they eat roughly the same?