The number of portions recommended for each food group is based
on a balanced combination of foods providing adequate nutrients, as
recommended by the Paediatric Group of the British Dietetic Association
(BDA)1. An exception is the group of foods high in fat and
sugar for which the Paediatric Group of the BDA and other agencies
simply recommend small amounts. Because this tool assigns each food
eaten by the toddler to one or more food groups it can be used to
calculate the number of portions of foods high in fat and sugar, as
well as those in the four other food groups. About seven small portions
of foods high in fat and sugar are included in a healthy balanced diet
for toddlers, and these are best included as part of other nutritious
foods, for example, butter on bread and sugar in puddings based on
eggs, flour and fruit.