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

Food group

Servings

1-3 Yrs Old

3-6 Yrs Old

6-12 Yrs Old

12 yrs-Adults

Breads, cereals, pasta & grains

7-11

½ slice or ¼ cup

½ slice or 1/3 cup

1 slice or ½ cup

1 slice or ½ cup

Vegetables

3-5

¼ cup

1/3 cup

½ cup

½ cup

Fruits

2-4

¼ cup

1/3 cup

½ cup

½ cup

Milk & milk products

2-3

½ to ¾ cup

¾ cup to 1 cup

1 cup

1 cup

Meat & meat alternates

2-3

1 oz or ¼ cup

1-1/2 oz or 1/3 cup

2 oz or ½ cup

2-3 oz or ½ cup