Back in 2019, NDR-UK along with a group of specialist Paediatric Dietitians started a full review and update of our 2 portion size resources: Smart Sized Portions and What’s Enough? Both resources aim to support weight management by providing simple information to guide parents/carers of children and young people on how to provide age appropriate portions sizes for a healthy balanced diet.

The Target Group will be aware of how to vary food choices and portion sizes to ensure:

• Healthy food and fluid choices
• Age appropriate food portion sizes
• Frequency of food consumed including snacks and meals
• The importance of nutrient balance and how to achieve this, including examples of what healthy balanced meals look like
• Ways to reduce salt, sugar and fat intake.

You can find out more details about each resource below, or on the product pages.

What was involved?

The project group included Dietitians from throughout Scotland who met regularly throughout the year to consider resource feedback, new evidence and required updates. It was clear, following feedback from health professionals, that including more variety of food choices within the resources would be beneficial. The project group were also keen to include age appropriate portion sizes for a selection of plated meals, as well as individual foods, within the more prescriptive 'What’s Enough?' - and I think the group have really achieved this.

A lot of hard work, time and input has gone into this review. Full consideration of the evidence and guidelines was given on how best to calculate portion sizes. The group also carefully considered the challenge of balancing the science with a pragmatic approach for families preparing and serving meals at home. Many calculations were made, practical, realistic portions were taken into account, and a fully updated selection of foods were added.

Peer Review & Photography  

We received fantastic feedback on the new foods included during peer review and this really encouraged the group moving forward with:

• photography, which we did in house due to COVID19 restrictions, and
• graphic design, where we worked with a local designer, Shirley from Tea and Type. Shirley has helped design lots of our resources including our updated Renal and Inside Eating ranges.

Available now!

What's Enough? and Smart Sized Portions are published and available in print and to send digitally via NDR Prescribe. Full samples are also available to view on our website.

• A comprehensive guide to support healthy weight management in children and young people aged 2-18 years old.
• For use by specialist dietitians
• Professional Guidelines to support interpretation and application of the guidance within What's Enough? are available to download from the product page.
• Updated images and design
• Increased variety of foods
• Now with a section on plated meals
• Includes weights and handy measures for practical portion sizes.

• A resource for health professionals to use with children aged 2 years plus and their parents/carers
• Pictorial portion guide with simple information
• Updated images, design and increased variety of foods.
   

We are so pleased with the finished products – a huge thank you to the project group, Gillian, Hannah, Sheila and Peri, and to all the dietitians who provided feedback through peer review – we hope you will find the resources valuable in supporting your services!