Starchy foods
Starchy foods like bread, cereals, pasta, rice, sweetcorn and potatoes give energy – something kids need a lot of. When she's being weaned, your baby will probably start eating cereal. Rice cereal is considered the best starter food with other wholegrains being added by the end of the year.

Fibre
Don't give too much fibre, as it can interfere with the absorption of minerals and make the child feel prematurely full. Do choose wholegrain products, where possible, though, like brown bread instead of white.

Vegetables and fruit
These foods give essential vitamins, minerals, fibre and sugars. The fresher they are, the better, with frozen vegetables being next best. Vegetables for babies generally need cooking so they can be pureed, but older kids can be given raw fruit and vegetables.

Dairy products
Milk is a baby's only food for 4 to 6 months, and continues to be an important element of the diet for the rest of the first year. Even after that, dairy products are an important source of protein and calcium and children under five should have 400-600ml of milk a day (or the equivalent in other dairy products). Good sources include cheese and yoghurt. Choose whole milk products, rather than skimmed or low-fat, for under-twos.

Protein
Meat, poultry and fish provide protein, as well as other vitamins, minerals and fat. Alternatives for non-meat eaters include eggs, nuts (not for babies), beans, soya, lentils, and tofu. To avoid excessive fat intake, buy lean meat and trim off all visible fat and grill rather than fry. Avoid processed meat. Fish is an excellent low- fat alternative.

Fat
Children and babies do need fat in their diets and should never be put on a low-fat diet unless a doctor has recommended it for health reasons. However, toddlers who eat a lot of "junk" food like biscuits, chips and fast foods may well be getting more fat than they need.