Children over the age of five should be following the normal nutrition advice for adults as set out in the eatwell plate which illustrates what a balanced diet should look like.  The only difference should be around portion size, which needs to be reflective of child's age/size, so ensure kids are eating appropriate  'me sized meals' . Eating a wide variety of foods ensures that their body gets all the nutrients it needs to grow and develop, which is especially critical for children as their bodies are still developing and often go through growth spurts. 

Diet not only affects long-term health, it can also affect how you look and feel.  Often as children get older they start to make more and more food choices for themselves which is why it's important they are encouraged to eat a wide range of foods from a young age and understand the importance of a balanced diet. 

Healthy eating as teens is vital as their bodies are going through lots of changes with the onset of puberty. Teen girls particularly need to ensure they get enough iron and stay away from fad diets in a bid to maintain a healthy weight, instead opting for a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise.  Eating well helps not only with appearance (skin/hair/nails) but also helps to maintain a healthy weight.  If you are concerned about your child/young persons weight then check out support for children/young people weight management in Portsmouth.