The Norwegian Food Agency’s survey of young children’s eating habits shows that almost half of 1.5-year-olds and 65 percent of four-year-olds eat more than 350 grams of red meat and cured meats per week, which is the maximum limit for adults in the Nordic nutritional recommendations.
“Worrying”
Boys eat more red meat than girls in both age groups.
– It is quite worrying that they eat so much red meat and charcuterie already when they are so small. There is scientific evidence for a link between bowel cancer and a high intake of red meat and charcuterie. Cancer develops later in life and that is why it is so important to establish the habits early, says the study’s project manager, dietician Lotta Moraeus.
9 out of 10 eat too little fruit and vegetables
The survey also shows that fewer than every ten four-year-olds reach the dietary advice of eating 400 grams of fruit and vegetables every day.
– It’s sad because we know that fruit and vegetables have very good consequences for children’s health, both then and there but also in the long term. They contain vitamins, antioxidants and fibers that you need to get in every day, says Lotta Moraeus.
Is it difficult for the children to reach the goal?
– They are up to almost 300 grams, so it only takes one more apple or a few more cucumber sticks or carrots every day and you are there.
Too much sugar and saturated fat
Half of four-year-olds eat too much added sugar and almost all children in both age groups eat too much saturated fat. The saturated fat came mainly from dairy products, red meat and cured meats.
Is the children’s high sugar consumption a bigger problem than their high consumption of red meat?
– No one is more important than the other, we have to work on both fronts at the same time, says Lotta Moraeus.
Eating habits have improved
However, the toddlers’ eating habits have improved over time. Today’s four-year-olds eat more fruit and vegetables and less red meat and charcuterie than their peers did in 2003. They also eat less energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods such as sweets, snacks and soft drinks.
How do you get a vegetable-averse kid to eat more greens? See the dietitian’s best advice in the video above.