First Steps Nutrition Trust
@1stepsnutrition.bsky.social
We are a UK NGO providing evidence based information & resources about good nutrition from pre-conception to 5 years. This account is managed by First Steps Director Dr Vicky Sibson
📰 See our May 2025 newsletter in our news archive for more information, and sign up to our monthly newsletter to receive future updates on other important topics 👏
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
📰 See our May 2025 newsletter in our news archive for more information, and sign up to our monthly newsletter to receive future updates on other important topics 👏
In 2019 we published a report outlining what non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) are, what they’re used for and health concerns, with a focus on pregnant women, infants and young children. We’re working on updating this, though the recommendations remain broadly relevant.
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In 2019 we published a report outlining what non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) are, what they’re used for and health concerns, with a focus on pregnant women, infants and young children. We’re working on updating this, though the recommendations remain broadly relevant.
For older children and adults, SACN recommends:
🍓 Swapping sugars for NSS may help reduce sugar intake from foods and drinks (and so reduce energy intake), at least in the short term – the long-term goal is to limit both sugar and NSS intake
🍓 Swapping sugars for NSS may help reduce sugar intake from foods and drinks (and so reduce energy intake), at least in the short term – the long-term goal is to limit both sugar and NSS intake
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
For older children and adults, SACN recommends:
🍓 Swapping sugars for NSS may help reduce sugar intake from foods and drinks (and so reduce energy intake), at least in the short term – the long-term goal is to limit both sugar and NSS intake
🍓 Swapping sugars for NSS may help reduce sugar intake from foods and drinks (and so reduce energy intake), at least in the short term – the long-term goal is to limit both sugar and NSS intake
Specifically for younger children, SACN recommends:
🍅 Not giving them drinks sweetened with sugar or NSS
AND
🥬 Giving them unsweetened food (not sweetened with either sugar or NSS)
🍅 Not giving them drinks sweetened with sugar or NSS
AND
🥬 Giving them unsweetened food (not sweetened with either sugar or NSS)
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Specifically for younger children, SACN recommends:
🍅 Not giving them drinks sweetened with sugar or NSS
AND
🥬 Giving them unsweetened food (not sweetened with either sugar or NSS)
🍅 Not giving them drinks sweetened with sugar or NSS
AND
🥬 Giving them unsweetened food (not sweetened with either sugar or NSS)
🍇 “SACN and WHO agree that a reduction in consumption of free sugars, alongside other positive changes to diet, is likely to be beneficial to health overall”. 🥦
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
🍇 “SACN and WHO agree that a reduction in consumption of free sugars, alongside other positive changes to diet, is likely to be beneficial to health overall”. 🥦
In April 2025 SACN published its report in response to the WHO updated guidelines on the use of non-sugar sweeteners, ultimately discouraging the use of NSS, matching the WHO view.
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In April 2025 SACN published its report in response to the WHO updated guidelines on the use of non-sugar sweeteners, ultimately discouraging the use of NSS, matching the WHO view.
The NHS states that “diet or reduced-sugar drinks are not recommended for babies and young children. Even low-calorie drinks and no-added-sugar drinks can encourage children to develop a sweet tooth”.
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
The NHS states that “diet or reduced-sugar drinks are not recommended for babies and young children. Even low-calorie drinks and no-added-sugar drinks can encourage children to develop a sweet tooth”.
However, it is important to remember that in our quest to reduce young children’s sugar intakes, we should not be simply swapping sugar for sweeteners.
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
However, it is important to remember that in our quest to reduce young children’s sugar intakes, we should not be simply swapping sugar for sweeteners.
Plus, lots more! Make sure you’re signed up to our newsletters for all the updates. You can find the link in our bio, or follow this link to sign up 👏
firststepsnutrition.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
firststepsnutrition.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Plus, lots more! Make sure you’re signed up to our newsletters for all the updates. You can find the link in our bio, or follow this link to sign up 👏
firststepsnutrition.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
firststepsnutrition.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
🌽 We were delighted to be asked by Unicef BFI who are working with the RCPCH, to provide our logo and a QR code to update the infant feeding pages in the Personal Child Health Record (‘Red book’) given to all parents in England shortly after their child has been born.
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
🌽 We were delighted to be asked by Unicef BFI who are working with the RCPCH, to provide our logo and a QR code to update the infant feeding pages in the Personal Child Health Record (‘Red book’) given to all parents in England shortly after their child has been born.
🥬 We coordinated a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Minister for Public Health, urging the DHSC to publish their long-overdue response to the CMA recommendations.
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
🥬 We coordinated a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Minister for Public Health, urging the DHSC to publish their long-overdue response to the CMA recommendations.
Katie also contributed to an ITV News report which cited our data and featured trustee Vicky Thomas.
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Katie also contributed to an ITV News report which cited our data and featured trustee Vicky Thomas.
🍇 We published our half-yearly formula cost updates to support conversations between health professionals and parents (share images of the pink report and infographic). This latest formula cost data and trend analysis received media coverage in the Telegraph, Daily Mail, and BMJ.
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
🍇 We published our half-yearly formula cost updates to support conversations between health professionals and parents (share images of the pink report and infographic). This latest formula cost data and trend analysis received media coverage in the Telegraph, Daily Mail, and BMJ.
🥕 Vicky also delivered online trainings on starting solids and infant and young child feeding to over 200 health workers and parents in Lanarkshire and Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
🥕 Vicky also delivered online trainings on starting solids and infant and young child feeding to over 200 health workers and parents in Lanarkshire and Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
This was a valuable opportunity to emphasise the need for stronger, mandatory regulations and meaningful enforcement — and to connect with potential European allies.
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
This was a valuable opportunity to emphasise the need for stronger, mandatory regulations and meaningful enforcement — and to connect with potential European allies.
In his opening remarks, WHO’s Gundo Aurel Weiler highlighted our influence to date in this space: “First Steps Nutrition Trust’s work has been instrumental in informing work around reformulation and marketing of commercial baby foods in the UK and Europe.”
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
In his opening remarks, WHO’s Gundo Aurel Weiler highlighted our influence to date in this space: “First Steps Nutrition Trust’s work has been instrumental in informing work around reformulation and marketing of commercial baby foods in the UK and Europe.”
🥦 Vicky presented “Improving baby foods in the UK – an advocacy perspective” at a WHO Europe webinar.
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
🥦 Vicky presented “Improving baby foods in the UK – an advocacy perspective” at a WHO Europe webinar.
🍅 We wished Jasmine a warm farewell as she left for maternity leave — during her time as our Nutrition Officer she has been instrumental in supporting our work on commercial baby foods and has taken our social media communications to a new level. She will be dearly missed!
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
🍅 We wished Jasmine a warm farewell as she left for maternity leave — during her time as our Nutrition Officer she has been instrumental in supporting our work on commercial baby foods and has taken our social media communications to a new level. She will be dearly missed!
You can find both our 2023 UPF report and the link to join the waiting list for the Lancet Series UPF launch event at the link in our bio. 👏
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 AM
You can find both our 2023 UPF report and the link to join the waiting list for the Lancet Series UPF launch event at the link in our bio. 👏
🍅 Enabling women who want to breastfeed by following through on existing commitments to increase access to breastfeeding support, extending that support universally, and upgrading and enforcing the UK law in line with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 AM
🍅 Enabling women who want to breastfeed by following through on existing commitments to increase access to breastfeeding support, extending that support universally, and upgrading and enforcing the UK law in line with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
This report also included our recommendations for the UK government, summarized in 7 key points which include:
🥕 The need to regulate and enforce the composition, labelling and marketing of commercial baby and toddler foods and drinks, utilising the WHO Europe Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model
🥕 The need to regulate and enforce the composition, labelling and marketing of commercial baby and toddler foods and drinks, utilising the WHO Europe Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 AM
This report also included our recommendations for the UK government, summarized in 7 key points which include:
🥕 The need to regulate and enforce the composition, labelling and marketing of commercial baby and toddler foods and drinks, utilising the WHO Europe Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model
🥕 The need to regulate and enforce the composition, labelling and marketing of commercial baby and toddler foods and drinks, utilising the WHO Europe Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model
In 2023 we published our report Ultra-processed foods (UPF) in the diets of infants and young children in the UK. We are proud to have been thought leaders on the intersection of UPFs and infant and young children feeding.
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 AM
In 2023 we published our report Ultra-processed foods (UPF) in the diets of infants and young children in the UK. We are proud to have been thought leaders on the intersection of UPFs and infant and young children feeding.
🍐How powerful transnational companies manufacture, market and politically protect UPFs, fuelling their expansion into communities globally.
🍇What meaningful change could look like, including effective government regulation, community mobilisation, and creating health and accessible food environment
🍇What meaningful change could look like, including effective government regulation, community mobilisation, and creating health and accessible food environment
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 AM
🍐How powerful transnational companies manufacture, market and politically protect UPFs, fuelling their expansion into communities globally.
🍇What meaningful change could look like, including effective government regulation, community mobilisation, and creating health and accessible food environment
🍇What meaningful change could look like, including effective government regulation, community mobilisation, and creating health and accessible food environment