This series of four population-specific food and nutrition guidelines background papers provide the Ministry’s evidence base for nutrition advice.
These documents are an important tool for health practitioners and others who provide nutrition advice as part of their work.
Each guideline background paper has an accompanying health education resource for the general public.
Infants and Toddlers (0–2)
- Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Infants and Toddlers (Aged 0 to 2 years) – A Background Paper (May 2008)
- Healthy Eating for Babies and Toddlers from Birth to 2 Years Old – HealthEd website
Children and Young People (2–18 years)
- Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Children and Young People (Aged 2–18 Years) – A background paper (Aug 2012)
- Eating for Healthy Children aged 2 to 12 – HealthEd website
- Healthy Eating for Young People – HealthEd website
Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
- Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women – A Background Paper (April 2006, revised November 2008)
- Eating for Healthy Pregnant Women – HealthEd website
- Eating for Healthy Breastfeeding Women – Health Ed website
Older People
- Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Older People – A Background Paper (2010, revised January 2013)
- Eating Well for Healthy Older People – HealthEd website
Transition to the Eating and Activity Guidelines Series
In response to the sector’s feedback, the Ministry has created a new model for providing nutrition and physical activity information to the health and physical activity sector. More about the Eating and Activity Guidelines Series can be found at Eating and Activity Guidelines.
Over time, the Ministry will update and transition the information in the Food and Nutrition Guideline Series to the Eating and Activity Guidelines Series. Current Eating and Activity Guideline documents include:
- Eating and Activity Guidelines for New Zealand Adults
- Guidance for Healthy Weight Gain During Pregnancy
- Consensus Statement on Vitamin D and Sun Exposure in New Zealand
- Companion Statement on Vitamin D and Sun Exposure in Pregnancy and Infancy in New Zealand.
Until the transition is complete, the population-specific papers and health education resources found on this page remain the Ministry’s most current nutrition-related advice for those populations.