Supporting early food experiences plays a crucial role in shaping lifelong health and wellbeing.
When Alex started nursery, he would only eat puréed food from a packet. When we offered him solid foods he would cry and push his dish away. Now, Sian sits with Alex at mealtimes, gently encouraging him to explore different foods. It is through squashing, sniffing and licking that Alex decides whether he wants to taste it and whether he likes it.
In inclusive early years settings, educators often support the children by introducing them to a range of tastes. The children’s responses will vary – while some may be curious and enjoy the experience, others will feel wary and anxious about it.
We need to tread carefully.
Start early, give choice and make mealtimes playful
Research shows that the first 1,000 days of life are especially important when establishing food preferences and routines.
Here are 3 tips on infant feeding and early lifestyle practices:
Introduce fruit and vegetables early
It may take repeated exposure - sometimes up to eight times before children accept foods that they initially reject. Introduce a new fruit or vegetable alongside familiar tastes and textures.
Never pressurise a child into trying a new food. Tasting something new is simply an experience, not a matter of success or failure. Every child approaches food differently, so let them explore new foods in their own time.
Avoid phrases like ‘clean your plate’ or ‘eat up’.
Young children are learning to recognise their own feelings of hunger and fullness. Supporting children to stop eating when they feel full helps them develop the ability to regulate their food intake.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Nutrition Guidance includes helpful information on portion sizes, sample menus and advice for developing a food and nutrition policy in early years settings.
Avoid giving a different status to some foods like ‘treats’.
We often label cakes, biscuits, and sweets as ‘treats’. This gives them a higher or more special status than everyday nutritious foods. It is worth being cautious here. If we put too much emphasis on these foods, it can make the children want them more just because they may see them as restricted or forbidden.
Rather, it can be more helpful to include these foods as a normal part of eating, not a special category. Food is just food! This helps children develop a more balanced and relaxed attitude toward all types of food.
The children in Alex’s nursery now get to explore new foods alongside him at a ‘Munch and Crunch’ snack time. This is inspired by the work of The Friendly Food Club, who provide recipes and ideas for engaging families and local communities.
Food to grow, food for life
Why focus on healthy eating in the early years?
Food poverty rates are higher for families with children under five, and those from the most disadvantaged areas are more likely to be affected. Early signs might include tooth decay, lethargy, unusual weight loss or weight gain. When educators focus on early food experiences they can change how children grow, learn and develop.
Sensitive and responsive interactions with adults and peers can make a real difference. You can watch how Lois engages two year olds in role-play conversations about food here (EEF Evidence Store).
A playful, multi-sensory approach enables children to explore different textures, colours, smells and tastes in a supportive way. You can see here how Rahima encourages a sensory exploration of ingredients when ‘Making Playdough’ (EEF Evidence Store).
Helping children build positive relationships with food in the early years doesn’t just support their healthy eating now - it lays the groundwork for lifelong health and well-being.
Questions for reflection:
How do you interact with children at mealtimes? Is there anything you might do to make it more playful and less pressurised?
Do you give children opportunities to explore and talk about different textures, colours, smells and tastes? If so, could you extend this a little?
Want to know more?
Department for Education (2025): The Early Years Foundation Stage Nutrition Guidance: Guidance for group and school-based providers and childminders in England.
Cbeebies Parenting (2026): How do I get my fussy toddler to eat?
Pietrobelli A, Agosti M; MeNu Group (2017): Nutrition in the First 1000 Days: Ten Practices to Minimize Obesity Emerging from Published Science. Int J Environ Res Public Health.
Cooper K, Jiménez E. (2024) How can we reduce Food Poverty for Under Fives? Education Policy Institute.