Food Guide Pyramid Servings for Kids
- Your child should be eating two servings from this group every day. A serving can consist of 2 to 3 ounces of lean meat, fish, or poultry. They may also have the choice of 1/2 cup of cooked, dry beans. You may also offer one egg or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter as a substitute for 1 ounce of meat.
- Children should have two servings from the milk group each day. One serving from this group includes 1 cup of milk or yogurt or 2 ounces of any variety of cheese. You may also allow your child to have 1 cup of ice cream or sherbet as a variation on occasion.
- Every child needs to have three servings from the vegetable group daily. This can include 1/2 cup of raw or chopped vegetables or 1 cup of leafy vegetables. Carrot and celery sticks are a great healthy choice that many children prefer.
- Children need to have two servings from this group each day. A serving can include one piece of fresh fruit, 3/4 cup of any flavor of 100 percent fruit juice, 1/2 cup of canned fruit or 1/4 cup of dried fruit. Apples, oranges, bananas and strawberries tend to be some of the best loved fruits.
- Your child will need six servings from the grains group every day. This may consist of one slice of bread, 1/2 cup of pasta or 1/2 cup of cooked cereal. Dry cereals are also another choice from this group and a 1 ounce portion is considered a serving.
- This group should be given only in moderation. Because these types of foods have little nutritional value, there is not set amount of servings needed. It is best for your child's health to only allow small amounts of this group on occasion. The types of foods in this group include sugar, corn syrup, soft drinks and candy.
