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Feeding Guide for Preschool Children
Choose food from these Food Groups each day to
ensure your child is getting the nutrients he/she needs to stay healthy!
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Food Groups and Daily Amounts |
Suggested Serving
Size
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Milk Group (3-4) servings) |
1-3 years |
4-5 years |
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Milk-whole (may introduce 2% at
age 2) |
1/2 cup |
3/4 cup |
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Cheese |
1/2 oz. |
3/4 oz. |
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Yogurt |
1/2 cup |
1/2 - 3/4 cup |
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Vegetable/Fruit Group (4-5)
servings |
1-3 years |
4-5 years |
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Cooked Vegetables (1-2
servings) |
2-3 Tbsp. |
4-5 Tbsp. |
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Raw Vegetables (1 serving) |
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few pieces |
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Fruits (2 servings) |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
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Meat Group (2-3 servings) |
1-3 years |
4-5 years |
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Meat, poultry, fish |
1-3 Tbsp. |
4-5 Tbsp. |
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Eggs |
1 |
1 |
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Peanut butter |
1-2 Tbsp. |
1-2 Tbsp. |
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Dried peas & beans (cooked) |
1-3 Tbsp. |
1/3 cup |
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Cereal (3-4 servings) |
1-3 years |
4-5 years |
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Whole grain/enriched white
bread |
1/2 slice |
1 slice |
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Cooked cereal, pasta, rice,
noodles |
2-6 Tbsp. |
1/4-1/2 cup |
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Ready to serve dry cereal |
2-6 Tbsp. |
1/4-1/2 cup |
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Fat (3-4 servings) |
1-3 years |
4-5 years |
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Butter or Vitamin A fortified
margarine |
1 tsp. |
1 tsp. |
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What your child eats can make the difference between good health and growth, and
sickness and poor growth. Use these tips to encourage healthy eating!
- Young children are growing more slowly than
when they were babies so they may not want as much to eat. Your child is a
pretty good judge of how much he/she needs to eat.
- Plan and serve meals at regular times each
day.
- Serve child-pleasing foods, those that have
bright colors, mild flavors, and a variety of textures.
- If your child loses interest or dawdles with
the food, quietly but firmly take it away.
- Your child's chair should be sturdy and high
enough so he/she can be comfortable at the table.
- Allow your child to help fix foods whenever
possible.
- Young children are easily distracted, so keep
the TV off.
- An overtired child rarely eats well- watch for
signs of tiredness.
- Allow enough time for eating, about 30
minutes.
- Avoid using food as a bribe or reward.
- Expect foods new to the child to be liked-be
positive.
- Discuss eating habits after the meal.
- Child size tableware encourages self feeding.
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