Overview
This randomised controlled dietary intervention study aims to test the effect of introducing fresh meat and vegetable-based recipes and targeted dietary resources into a healthy, sustainable toddler diet on dietary intakes relative to a control group consuming a standard diet based on Irish healthy eating guidelines.
This study aims to recruit 80 young children (24-42 months old) who will be randomised to an intervention (provided with individualised dietary counselling, alongside a targeted healthy eating resource, focused on incorporating fresh red meat and vegetable based recipes into a sustainable and safe diet for young children), or control group receiving (provided with basic healthy eating advice as per the Food Safety Authority of Ireland's Food-Based Dietary Guidelines for 1-5-year-olds).
Participants will:
- Include any of the recipes in their child's diet on 3 occasions during the week, for 12 weeks
- Complete a variety of validated nutrition and feeding questionnaires
- Complete 2 onsite visits, at the baseline and endpoint of the intervention period
The provision of targeted dietary counselling with nutritional resources and techniques will allow us to investigate the impact of these strategies on improving the overall diet of young children.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Child aged between 24-42 months (at time of study recruitment).
- In general good health.
- Following an unrestricted diet.
- Capable of completing the study assessments.
- Parent/guardian must be willing to provide written informed consent for their child's participation.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Follows a vegetarian or vegan or meat-avoidant diet.