Good Food
type: channel
link: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com
date: 2025-11-11T09:15:24.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Best pregnancy supplements 2025 – tried and tested
items: Make bedtime easier with these wind-down snacks and tips
items: Is there too much sugar in baby food?
items: Sugar addiction and children
items: A balanced diet for toddlers
items: Coeliac disease in children
items: How much exercise do children need?
items: How much water should my child drink each day?
items: Why do people eat placenta?
items: Nut allergies – all you need to know

Best pregnancy supplements 2025 – tried and tested
type: item
date: 2025-11-11T09:15:24.000Z
creator: Dr Frankie Phillips – Registered dietitian and public health nutritionist
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Review
subject: Supplements
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: Discover the essential pregnancy supplements you need, from folic acid to vitamin B12, to support your health and your baby’s growth
encoded: Supporting your health during pregnancy is essential for both you and your growing baby. While a balanced diet provides a foundation of nutrients, most people who are pregnant are likely to need a nutrition supplement as their bodies must meet the additional demands of pregnancy and a growing baby. In particular, attention should be given to folic acid (especially in the earliest stages of pregnancy) and vitamin D, but some people may also need extra omega-3 and iodine, and vegans will need to make sure they are taking adequate vitamin B12. We tried and tested a variety of pregnancy supplements to find the best offerings on the market. Plus, find additional guidance and support on nutrition, what to look out for in a supplement and making the most of your supplement. Read on to discover more. Best pregnancy vitamins at a glance Vitabiotics Pregnacare Max, £14.95 Superdrug Pregnancy Support, £3.99 Wild Nutrition Pregnancy + New Mother Multi, £41 Wild Nutrition Pregnancy + New Mother Omega-3, £25 Vitl Pregnancy & Breastfeeding, £19.95 Together Health Pregnancy, £16.99 Jump to section Best pregnancy supplements 2025 Which nutrients are important for pregnancy? What makes a good pregnancy supplement? How to make the most of pregnancy vitamins What we looked for in pregnancy supplements Best pregnancy supplements 2025 Vitabiotics Pregnacare Max Available from Amazon (£12.35), Boots (£20), Vitabiotics (£20.25) Star rating: 4.5/5 Price per day (recommended dose): 72p A daily dose of three capsules – a pair of essential vitamins and minerals with a separate omega-3 capsule – which can feel a lot if you find it hard to swallow tablets. It’s one of the more expensive options we tested, but the omega-3 DHA content makes it a good choice if you’re not fond of fish; this is important for normal brain and eye development. Made with halal gelatin and fish oil so not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Available from: Amazon (£12.35) Boots (£20) Vitabiotics (£20.25) Superdrug Pregn…

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Make bedtime easier with these wind-down snacks and tips
type: item
date: 2025-08-08T09:53:39.000Z
creator: Dr Frankie Phillips – Registered dietitian and public health nutritionist
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Nutrition
subject: How to
subject: children's sleep
subject: foods to help with sleep
subject: goodhealth
subject: healthy family
subject: help children get to sleep
description: From babies to teenagers, bedtime can be a battle! Here are the expert snack solutions for a peaceful night
encoded: As any parent knows, bedtime can be one of the trickiest parts of the day… You’re desperate to sit down and put your feet up, but your kids won’t settle or keep reappearing downstairs complaining of being hungry or thirsty… As a mother of four, and a nutritionist, I’ve had plenty of practice in creating the perfect food-based wind-down routine. Read on for my 5 go-to bedtime snack hacks for a restful night. Sorting the bedtime snack groove Do your children leap into bed, ready for sleep and stay there for the next 10-12 hours in blissful, uninterrupted slumber, waking with a smile, eager to greet the day sometime after 8am? Nope, mine neither. My four children’s overriding ambition has always been to stay up late – something only even considered on high days and holidays. Yes, they know that they need to get to sleep but the lure of a late night sometimes just seems so tempting. So stalling tactics abound, in the hope of that extra hour or two. As a mum of four girls, I’ve seen all the excuses under the sun; ‘Mum, I can’t sleep’, ‘Mum I can’t find my cuddly toy’, ‘Mum it’s too light in my room, ‘Mum it’s too dark’. And of course that old chestnut; ‘Mum, I’m still hungry/thirsty’. I know what a balanced diet looks like – after all I am a registered nutritionist – and we have a fairly pragmatic approach to food at home. I like to think that we eat pretty healthily about 80% of the time, so I don’t worry too much about the odd treat slipping in – it’s all part of a healthy and balanced attitude towards food where nothing is banned, and – as they’ll often remind me – ‘Everything in moderation, with lots of vegetables’ as my mantra. It’s hard to sleep with a rumbling tum, and the thought of hunger may preoccupy the mind making it even harder to drift off. Similarly, feeling thirsty is uncomfortable and dehydration can even lead to headaches. But when I hear that bedtime cry of ‘I’m still hungry…’ I’m pretty tough in my stance, and don’t allow the kids free rein in the ki…

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Is there too much sugar in baby food?
type: item
date: 2025-06-04T14:28:48.000Z
creator: Dr Frankie Phillips – Registered dietitian and public health nutritionist
subject: Family health
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: How to
subject: Baby food
subject: Dr Frankie Phillips
subject: goodhealth
subject: homemade baby food
subject: sugar in baby food
subject: weaning
description: The sugar content of baby food has been brought under the spotlight with a report revealing many foods promoted as ‘healthy’ snack choices are anything but...
encoded: Is there too much sugar in baby food? With headlines suggesting some UK baby pouch foods contain as much sugar as a fizzy drink, navigating the UK baby food market seems to be as challenging as ever. We asked dietitian and child nutritionist Dr Frankie Phillips to talk us through why some of these options may be dangerous for a baby's health. The formative years The first years of a baby’s life are crucial for establishing healthy eating habits. However, statistics suggest that during these months children are already starting to consume ‘free sugars,’ the type we should all limit in our diets. In fact, some toddlers are eating in excess of the amount advised for children of four years and older. Much of the problem is down to misleading messages that dupe parents into buying products they believe to be ‘healthy’. In fact, many of these products could be argued to carry a health ‘halo’ declaring ‘no added sugar’, ‘organic’ etc. when in fact they contain high levels of naturally occurring ‘free’ sugars from ingredients like concentrated fruit juice or processed fruit purée. A recent study by the University of Leeds found half of the baby foods they assessed contained inappropriate levels of sugar and a quarter were so excessive they would warrant warning labels under the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The study also found that one in five first weaning foods were too low in energy to support healthy growth and 14 per cent of the vegetable-based meals did not contain adequate protein. Why the baby food sector needs guidance Although some baby food brands are working to reduce the sugars in their products, there are still some with unsuitable sugar levels and misleading labelling. The industry focus has been primarily on commercial baby foods and snacks, leading us to ask whether ready-made jars and pouches, as well as snack foods, have a place in the diet of babies and young children. Some brands actively undermine the UK government’s advice on weaning, s…

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Sugar addiction and children
type: item
date: 2025-06-04T11:49:13.000Z
creator: Dr Frankie Phillips – Registered dietitian and public health nutritionist
subject: Family health
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: How to
subject: children and sugar
subject: Dr Frankie Phillips
subject: goodhealth
subject: how much sugar should children eat?
description: Why is it children love sugar? We explore the science that explains why our kids seem addicted to all things sweet, and take a look at the way our tastebuds change as we age.
encoded: Children seem to have a much higher tolerance for sugary foods, but how do our tastebuds develop as we get older? Registered dietitian Dr Frankie Phillips takes a look at the scientific reasons behind our preferences for sweet flavours. Discover our healthy family recipes, healthy kids' recipes and low-sugar recipes. Plus, read how much sugar should children have. Babies, breast milk and beyond Babies have an innate preference for sweetness, starting with the slightly sweet taste of breast milk. They also have more sensitive tastebuds (and many more of them), so new foods can offer an intense explosion of flavour, which might not always be that welcomed. A baby's mouth has more nerve endings per square millimetre than any other part of their body, which explains why babies explore new objects with their mouths. It’s also worth remembering that what mum eats while pregnant and breastfeeding may also shape her baby’s taste preferences. Recent research suggests that limiting sugar exposure in-utero and during the first two years of your child’s life may help protect against conditions like type-2 diabetes later in life. As your infant develops, you’ll notice they seem to have a natural instinct to search out energy-rich foods. No great surprise then that kids have a genetic disposition for seeking out the sweet stuff! What is a supertaster? Some children find new (especially bitter) tastes more acceptable because their tastebuds are programmed to be less sensitive. Others are ‘supertasters’, meaning they have a heightened sense of taste. It’s partly a survival mechanism, since many poisonous plants also taste bitter or sour, making them less appealing, so we are hardwired to avoid them. These supertasters might find the bitter taste of brassica and cruciferous vegetables such as brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower very challenging. The good news is that we can learn to accept these tastes, which, given the nutritional benefits of these foods, is excellent news. D…

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A balanced diet for toddlers
type: item
date: 2024-08-20T13:02:24.000Z
creator: Dr Frankie Phillips – Registered dietitian and public health nutritionist
subject: Family
subject: Family health
subject: Health
subject: Dr Frankie Phillips
subject: goodhealth
subject: Healthy
subject: Nutrition
subject: Toddler
subject: toddler diet
subject: toddler foods
subject: toddler health
subject: Toddler recipes
subject: Toddlers
description: Looking to pack more nutrients into your toddler's meals? Follow our dietician's guide to ensure your child enjoys a healthy, balanced diet.
encoded: Looking to pack more nutrients into your toddler's meals? Follow our dietician's guide to ensure your child enjoys a healthy, balanced diet. During the early years, it’s important to get nutrition right; what your little one eats now impacts health, growth and development both in the short-term and in later life. Beyond nutrition, the right balance of food helps establish the habit of eating a healthy, varied diet with the rest of the family. Discover our full range of health benefit guides; you may also be interested in our guide to children's appetite and advice for grown-ups on how to eat a balanced diet. What is a balanced diet for toddlers? For adults there are clear guidelines on what makes a balanced diet defined by the NHS Eatwell Guide. However, while it’s sensible to include some of the principles of healthy eating for your toddler, it’s also important to make sure they get all of the nutrients they need in manageable packages – so, that means not having too many bulky, high-fibre foods, while including a source of good-quality protein, healthy fats and plenty of fruit and vegetables. How much should my toddler eat? As a guide, toddlers need three meals and two to three snacks, as well as six to eight drinks, each day. Children are good at judging their own appetite; some days they won't eat much and other days they’ll catch up. As their tummies are small, make sure you give ‘me-sized’ portions – this generally means a portion about the size of their cupped hand. Offering two courses at lunch and dinner can be a useful way of getting variety in, but don’t insist on a clean plate every time. Looking for ideas? These mini egg & veg muffins make a great snack or a hand-held lunch. They're a good source of protein from the eggs plus fibre and other nutrients from the courgette, carrots and peas. What do healthy meals for toddlers look like? A healthy, balanced diet is made up of foods from all of the main food groups. This doesn’t have to be achieved at every …

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Coeliac disease in children
type: item
date: 2024-06-14T09:26:21.000Z
creator: Dr Frankie Phillips – Registered dietitian and public health nutritionist
subject: Family
subject: Family health
subject: Health
subject: Allergies in children
subject: coeliac disease
subject: coeliac disease symptoms
subject: Dr Frankie Phillips
subject: Gluten free
subject: gluten intolerance symptoms
subject: gluten-free kids
subject: goodhealth
subject: how to tell if children are coeliac
subject: what is coeliac disease
description: A dietitian explains the signs to look out for if you’re worried your child might be allergic to gluten, and what you should do
encoded: What is coeliac disease? Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition which means the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten, which is found in grains like wheat, rye and barley, is eaten. The immune system mistakes the substances that make up gluten for something harmful. As a result, antibodies are released which trigger inflammation and go on to damage the lining of the small intestine, leaving it unable to absorb the nutrients from food. It’s important to appreciate that coeliac disease is not an allergy or a food intolerance and you don’t ‘grow out of it’. In the UK, the condition affects one in 100 children, and most don’t get diagnosed until later in life. What are the symptoms of coeliac disease? Symptoms include: diarrhoea, constipation, wind and bloating as well as stomach cramps changes in growth pattern tiredness unexpected weight loss nausea irritability mouth ulcers Coeliac disease is difficult to diagnose because not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Some people have no symptoms at all but may be diagnosed through screening which involves having a blood test to detect the relevant antibodies. What is the risk of having coeliac disease and not realising it? If undiagnosed and untreated, there is a risk of complications, including impaired weight gain, delayed puberty, iron deficiency anaemia, compromised fertility and osteoporosis. Is there a family connection? The condition often, but not always, runs in families. Studies suggest that if a family member has coeliac disease, then there is a 1 in 10 chance of a close relative developing the condition. Certain genes are required to develop coeliac disease so screening is recommended for first degree relatives (parents, siblings and children). How is it different to gluten intolerance? Although the symptoms may be similar, those with gluten intolerance do not experience damage to the gut lining, so do not face the same health implications. What should I do if I suspect my child has c…

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How much exercise do children need?
type: item
date: 2024-03-21T10:55:53.000Z
creator: Dr Frankie Phillips – Registered dietitian and public health nutritionist
subject: Family
subject: Family health
subject: Health
subject: dehydration kids
subject: Dr Frankie Phillips
subject: exercise for kids
subject: fitness for kids
subject: goodhealth
subject: healthy snacks kids
description: Dietitian and children's health expert Frankie Phillips explains why exercise is important for your child's physical and mental wellbeing
encoded: For young children, being active is part of their development. Crawling and walking are important physical milestones, and being on-the-go is a daily activity. As children get older, the concern is that the amount of physical activity they do may start to decrease as other more sedentary activities take over. Recent government reports suggest that there have been improvements in activity levels since the covid pandemic with 47% of children and young people meeting physical activity guidelines. Sadly, though 30.2% of children and young people do less than 20 minutes of physical activity per day. How much exercise should my child be getting? The latest NHS guidelines say that to maintain a basic level of health, children and young people aged five to 18 should do at least one hour of physical activity every day, ranging from moderate activity (such as cycling and playground activities) to vigorous activity (such as running) and active sport (like tennis or football), which gets the heart pumping harder. In addition to this, three days a week, these activities should involve exercises to strengthen muscles, such as gymnastics, rope or tree climbing, and exercises for strong bones (running and jumping), games such as hopscotch and skipping with a rope. Muscle strength is necessary for daily activities, and to build and maintain strong bones, regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, and help maintain a healthy weight. Bone-strengthening activities promote bone growth and strength. What kinds of activity count? The benchmark for physical activity is to make you breathe faster and feel warmer. Moderate activity raises your heart rate and makes you sweat. Vigorous activity, on the other hand, makes you breathe hard and fast and you’ll feel your heart beat faster. Moderate activities for children include: playing in the playground riding a scooter skateboarding rollerblading walking the dog cycling on level ground or ground with few hills Vigorous activities for children inc…

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How much water should my child drink each day?
type: item
date: 2024-03-18T11:47:17.000Z
creator: Dr Frankie Phillips – Registered dietitian and public health nutritionist
subject: Family
subject: Family health
subject: Health
subject: baby dehydration
subject: child dehydration
subject: Dr Frankie Phillips
subject: Drink
subject: goodhealth
subject: how much water should you drink a day
subject: Hydration
subject: symptoms of dehydration
subject: toddler dehydration
subject: Tracey Raye
subject: Water
description: Keeping your child hydrated has a significant impact on their health, especially in hot weather or after exercise. Discover the signs of dehydration and how much water your child needs.
encoded: Try our Healthy Diet Plan, packed with 7 days of nourishing breakfasts, lunches and dinners – available exclusively within the <a href="https://immediate.onelink.me/OQap?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=health_pages&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d&af_dp=bbcgoodfood%3A%2F%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://immediate.onelink.me/OQap?af_xp%3Dcustom%26pid%3Dwebsite%26c%3Dhealth_pages%26is_retargeting%3Dtrue%26af_reengagement_window%3D30d%26af_dp%3Dbbcgoodfood%253A%252F%252F&source=gmail&ust=1734443986961000&usg=AOvVaw3gkvSef6ztvJ5ml8VVFGHC">Good Food app. What are the benefits of drinking water? At birth, a baby’s body consists of about 75 per cent fluid. For older children and adults, about 60 per cent of the body is fluid. Fluid is really important for health, as the cells in our bodies depend on it to function normally and flush waste products. Both the amount and type of fluids that adults and children consume can have a significant impact on their health. How much water does an average child need? The amount a child needs to drink can vary greatly depending on age and gender, as well as weather and physical activity. As a general rule of thumb, children aged four to 13 should aim to drink approximately six to eight glasses of fluid a day, with younger children needing smaller servings – about 150ml for a four-year-old and 250ml for an older child. How much water should my child drink a day? This depends on their age and gender, as follows: Boys and girls aged four to eight need 1.1-1.3 litres per day Girls aged nine to 13 need 1.3-.5 litres per day. Boys aged nine to 13 need 1.5-1.7 litres per day. These amounts are based on the guidelines set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). In addition to the fluid we get from drinks, many foods contain water, so these will also top up fluid intake. Examples include cucumber and watermelon, which are over 90 per cent water. Try these child-friendly w…

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Why do people eat placenta?
type: item
creator: Dr Frankie Phillips – Registered dietitian and public health nutritionist
subject: Family
subject: Family health
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: Dr Frankie Phillips
subject: eating placenta
subject: goodhealth
subject: health benefits of eating placenta
subject: Placenta
subject: placenta delivery
subject: post natal depression
subject: what does placenta taste like
subject: what is a placenta
description: Are there benefits to eating your placenta? What does a placenta taste like and how do you go about preparing a placenta to eat? Our dietitian explains this controversial practice...
encoded: When it comes to mothers consuming their placentas, there are strong opinions but a lack of consensus. So, is the placenta just a waste by-product of birth, or should it be seen as the key to a nutrition-packed feast? Dietitian Dr Frankie Phillips explains. What is the placenta? The placenta, sometimes called the ‘afterbirth’, is an organ attached to the womb lining. It grows following conception and its role is to pass oxygen, nutrients and hormones from the mother’s blood supply, via the umbilical cord, to the baby. In this way it acts as the lungs, gut, kidneys and liver of the baby, as waste products such as carbon dioxide are transported out. It also provides some protection for the baby against bacterial infections from the mother. After a baby is born, the placenta is no longer needed and the mother will ‘deliver’ it or, during a Caesarean section, it will be lifted out by the doctor. Midwives check that the placenta is complete to ensure there are no subsequent risks to the mother, such as infection or heavy bleeding. Wasted or wanted? In many cases, the placenta is disposed of after the birth. However, there appears to be a growing interest in saving and eating it, with some people suggesting there may be benefits to be had. Although there are records of this practice through history, with dried placenta being used in Chinese medicine, precise numbers are not known. What is clear is that the number of people interested in ‘placentophagy’ (literally ‘eating the placenta’) has increased over the last couple of decades. Despite this, there is limited evidence to support its value to the mother. Are there any benefits or dangers from eating the placenta? Anecdotal support for the practice provides quite a list of supposed benefits. These include potential improvements in energy, breast milk quality, hormonal balance, post-delivery pain and insomnia; plus a lower risk of postnatal depression, better skin elasticity, restored iron stores and help with baby bondin…

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Nut allergies – all you need to know
type: item
date: 2024-02-05T16:10:22.000Z
creator: Dr Frankie Phillips – Registered dietitian and public health nutritionist
subject: Family
subject: Health
subject: Special diets
subject: Allergy
subject: allergy foods
subject: goodhealth
subject: nut allergy
subject: Nuts
subject: peanut allergy
description: Find out what a nut allergy is, what symptoms to look for and how to best manage a nut allergy
encoded: What is a nut allergy? A nut allergy is a condition where the body reacts abnormally to the proteins naturally present in tree nuts. In effect, the immune system ‘attacks’ the nut proteins, setting off a chain of reactions that release natural chemicals (IgE antibodies) in the body, it does this because it mistakes the proteins as a threat. According to BSACI, nut allergy affects around 2 per cent of children and 0.5 per cent of adults in the UK. Find out more about healthy eating, from 10 food to support seasonal allergies and food intolerance tests: are they worth it? Plus, is peanut butter good for you? Nut allergy symptoms Signs and symptoms of tree nut allergy vary, some appearing within minutes of coming into contact with the nut while others may present up to an hour or two later. Symptoms may be mild, moderate, sometimes severe and even life-threatening. The most common mild to moderate symptoms include: Blotchy raised or itchy ‘nettle’ rash Itchy mouth, tongue or throat Swelling of lips, eyes or face Runny nose and sneezing Vomiting, tummy ache and diarrhoea Severe symptoms include: Difficulty breathing, wheezing or a persistent cough Swelling of tongue or throat Throat tightness Drowsiness Anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic reaction and can be life-threatening, the advice is that if you think you, or someone you are with, is having an anaphylactic reaction, call for emergency assistance immediately. Which nuts might I be allergic to? If you have a nut allergy there are eight tree nuts that you may need to avoid, these are: Almonds Brazil nuts Cashews Hazelnuts Macadamia nuts Pecans Pistachios Walnuts An allergy to one tree nut does not mean an allergy to them all, however, there is an increased likelihood of a reaction. Chestnuts are in a different botanical category to the eight tree nuts listed above. That said, some people may be allergic to chestnuts despite safely tolerating other nuts. Both coconut and pine nuts are actually a seed rather than a…

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