Every few years, the Government releases a big-picture snapshot of how the UK is doing when it comes to food and nutrition. It’s called the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS)—and it’s one of the most important tools we have for understanding what people are actually eating, and how that compares to what’s recommended.
The latest report, published in June 2025, covers data collected between 2019 and 2023. It includes children as young as 18 months, which means we finally have some updated insight into the diets of toddlers and primary-aged children.
So what does it tell us—and what can we do with that information as parents?
What Is the NDNS?
The NDNS is a rolling survey that’s been running since 2008. It’s commissioned by the UK Government and carried out by researchers who collect detailed information on:
- What people eat and drink over several days
- Their nutrient intake (e.g. iron, fibre, vitamin D)
- Physical measurements (like height and weight)
- Blood and urine samples to check nutritional status
It’s nationally representative, meaning it reflects the UK population as a whole, and it’s used to shape public health policy, school food standards, and national dietary guidelines.
Some of the key findings for children aged 18 months to 3 years:
| Nutrient/Food Group | Recommended | Actual Intake | What this means |
| Calories | ~908 kcal | 1,188 kcals | Children are having slightly more calories than they need |
| Free Sugars | ≤5% of total energy | 9.7% of total energy*, ** | 27% of this age group met the guidance |
| Saturated fats | ≤10% of energy | 12.5% | 15% of children met recommendation |
| Fibre | 15g/day | 12.5g/day | 22% meeting guidance |
| Vitamin D | 10µg/day | 4.0mcg | Children generally low |
*From older NDNS data as not provided in latest report. 1
Some of the key findings for children aged 4 to 10 years:
| Nutrient/Food Group | Recommended | Actual Intake | What this means |
| Calories | ~1661 kcals | 1,469 kcals | Children are having slightly less calories than they need (could be due to underreporting) |
| Free Sugars | ≤5% of total energy | 10.2%** | 8% of this age group met the guidance |
| Saturated Fats | ≤10% of energy | 12.5% | 15% of children met recommendation |
| Fibre | 15-20g/day | 14.5g/day | 14% meeting guidance |
| Vitamin D | 10µg/day | 3.7mcg | 10% of children had low serum 25 (OH)D concentrations (below 25nmol/L) |
Free Sugar Recommendations
** For more information, here is the free sugar intake in grams as reported in the new NDNS report for ages 18 months to 3 years and ages 4-10 years – just for context and so you can see the recommendations and intakes in grams
18m to 3 years:
| Nutrient/Food Group | Recommended by the NHS | Actual Intake |
| Free Sugars | 10-14g | 26.6g |
Ages 4 to 10:
| Nutrient/Food Group | Recommended by the NHS | Actual Intake |
| Free Sugars | 19g-24g | 40.2g |
Other fairly recent findings on child nutrition:
Another interesting finding from the latest NDNS was that for children, cereal and cereal products such as pasta rice, cereals but also pizza, biscuits, buns and cakes were a main source of calories, free sugars, and saturated fats but also of fibre…so we need carbohydrates and cereal products that still contain the fibre, but less in the way of sugars and saturates!
- From other recent sources, we can see that only 19% of children (18% of boys and 21% of girls) are getting 5 fruits and veggies a day! 2
- Additionally, we’ve recently heard that 1/3 of the meat young children are eating is processed.
What Can Parents Do?
As we can see from these findings, many UK children—especially in the early years—are not meeting key nutritional recommendations. Intakes of fruit & veg, fibre and vitamin D often remain low, while free sugars and saturated fat intakes are too high in many cases. Other reports suggest concern around salt intakes and iron intakes too. These patterns are consistent across toddlers and primary-aged children, and the gaps are even more pronounced in lower-income households.
But the good news? These are areas we can influence with small, realistic changes, here are some of my tips to ensuring your little one gets everything they need:
1. Up their Fruit and Veg Intake
- Offer a variety of fruit or veg at every meal and most snacks—even just a few bites count.
- Keep it varied: fresh, frozen, tinned (in juice or water), and dried all count.
- Try adding grated veg to sauces, soups, or muffins.
2. Cut Back on Free Sugars
- Swap sugary yogurts for plain ones with fruit stirred in.
- Offer water or milk instead of juice or squash.
- Keep sweet snacks as occasional options, not everyday staples.
3. Add Fibre Gently
- Mix wholegrain and white versions of bread, pasta, and rice.
- Include beans, lentils, and oats in meals where you can.
- Offer fruit and veg with skins on (where appropriate).
4. Support Iron Intake
- Include iron-rich foods like red meat, lentils, beans, eggs, and fortified cereals.
- Pair with vitamin C-rich foods (like peppers or strawberries) to help absorption.
5. Don’t Forget Vitamin D
- Children under 5 should take a daily 10µg supplement year-round.
- Fortified foods (like some cereals and plant-based milks) can help too.
6. Watch the Salt and Saturated Fat
- Limit processed meats like ham and sausages to once a week.
- Choose lower-salt versions of bread, cheese, and sauces where possible.
- Cook with unsaturated fats like vegetable or olive oil.
The NDNS shows us that many children in the UK are falling short on key nutrients—but it also reminds us that small, everyday changes can make a big difference. You don’t need to overhaul your child’s diet overnight. Just start with one or two swaps, and build from there.
And if you’re looking for more support on how to build balanced meals for your toddler, I’ve written a full blog on Balanced Meals for Toddlers that very topic that should really help!