Clinical nutrition

Recommendations for healthy eating

• Limit your child's eating to three meals and 1 - 2 snacks each day. Snacks should be less than 150 calories each or a total of 300 calories per day. A fruit serving = approximately 70 calories.
• Nothing to eat or drink between meals or snacks (except water).
• Do not allow regular soda, juice, punch or Kool-Aid. Your child needs at least 4 cups of water each day.
• Allow 2 - 3 glasses of low fat milk (skim, 1%, 2%) each day.
• Allow only 1 plate of food at mealtimes (or two ½ portions). If your child is still hungry, allow more fruit or vegetables. Encourage one serving of each food group (1-2 grain/starch servings) with each meal, especially fruit and vegetable.
• Keep less high-fat foods at home: sausage, hotdogs, lunchmeat, cheese, fried food, mayonnaise, butter, margarine, salad dressing, chips, ice cream, cookies, etc. Try low-fat versions of these foods. Use less oil, butter and margarine in cooking. Make lower fat choices or share food at restaurants.
• Eat all meals at the table without the television on.

Suggested food portion sizes