Recommended Food Intake for Children Aged 2-6
Foods & Quantities needed for growing strong, healthy bodies in preschoolers |
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Food Group |
Daily Amount |
Examples* |
Milk |
2 cups |
Whole milk until age 2, then low-fat or skim milk, yogurt and cheese—hard, cottage and processed |
Fruit / Vegetables |
1 1/2 cups |
Need to eat a variety of fruits and veggies to get the range of disease-fighting antioxidants and enough fiber in diet |
Grains |
5 portions |
Make half of the portions whole grain to get enough fiber and nutrients (1 portion = 1 slice bread, 1 cup dry cereal, 1/2 cup oatmeal, pasta or rice) |
Protein |
4 ounces |
1 ounce = 1/2 portion of meat, poultry or fish, or 1 egg, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1/2 ounce of nuts or 1 serving cooked beans |
Oils |
up to 4 teaspoons |
especially mono- and polyunsaturated oils from plants, nuts and certain fish. These fats are needed for healthy growth and development. (Avoid artery-clogging trans- and saturated fats.) |
*Information from www.mypyramid.gov, for a child aged 2-6 and based on a 1,400 calorie-per-day-diet. |
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