Foods & Quantities needed for growing strong, healthy bodies in preschoolers

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.