Frozen Butternut Squash is a frozen, whole vegetable and, as a NOVA group 1 food, delivers naturally occurring energy and nutrients with no added sugar, salt or additives. Frozen at its peak, which locks in nutrients, so it is often just as nutritious as fresh. It is a source of vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. One portion counts as one of your five a day. Work out the numbers for any portion and age below, then see the full macro and micronutrient breakdown.
The tables below put each macronutrient against age-appropriate guidance, because what matters for a 4 year old is very different from an adult.
An 80g serving contains about 1.8g of sugar, and it is all natural (intrinsic) sugar that comes packaged with fibre and water. It has 0g of added or free sugar, so it does not count toward the daily free sugar limit the NHS sets. The table shows those limits by age; Frozen Butternut Squash contributes nothing to them.
Frozen Butternut Squash is naturally very low in fat, with about 0.08g per portion and 0g of added fat. Only around 0.02g is saturated, well within the daily maximum for every age group.
Fibre supports healthy digestion, and most people in the UK do not get enough. A portion provides about 1.6g. Because children need less fibre than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's target.
There is about 9.6g of carbohydrate per portion. There is no single daily target, but roughly half of daily energy should come from carbohydrate; the reference values below are based on that.
Percentages are share of the daily Nutrient Reference Value (NRV). Under UK and EU rules a food is a source of a nutrient at 15% NRV per 100g and high in it at 30%.
These tables show how the nutrients compare to daily needs across different ages, using UK Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNIs). This differs from the source of and high in labels above, which use the single adult figure (NRV) set for food packaging. Children's needs are lower, so a portion goes further.
Vitamin A supports vision, healthy skin and the immune system. An 80g serving contains 426ug. Because children need less than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's daily target.
Vitamin C supports the immune system and helps the body absorb iron from food. An 80g serving contains 17mg. Because children need less than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's daily target.
Potassium helps control blood pressure and supports normal muscle and nerve function. An 80g serving contains 282mg. Because children need less than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's daily target.
Folate is needed to make healthy red blood cells and is especially important before and during pregnancy. An 80g serving contains 22ug. Because children need less than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's daily target.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. An 80g serving contains 1.12mg. Because children need less than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's daily target. These figures use safe intake levels, as no formal UK RNI is set.
Manganese contributes to normal bone formation and helps protect cells from oxidative stress. An 80g serving contains 0.16mg. Because children need less than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's daily target. These figures use safe intake levels, as no formal UK RNI is set.
Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function and helps release energy from food. An 80g serving contains 27mg. Because children need less than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's daily target.
No. Freezing adds nothing, so Frozen Butternut Squash is still a NOVA group 1 whole food. It is picked and frozen at its peak, which can preserve vitamins better than fresh produce that spends days in transit and storage.
Nutrition data from McCance and Widdowson and UK FoodData Central, per 100g raw edible portion; values are reference figures and can vary by variety and ripeness. Reference intakes: EU NRVs for labelling and UK RNIs (SACN) for age-based needs. For guidance only.