NUTRITION: Part Two
Serving sizes for the different age groups
When planning menus for childcare, food safety (Today's Family, Nutrition: part one, Nov. 2007), food groupings and minimum serving size suggestions are taken into consideration. Knowing the minimum serving size for a child's age group helps the provider ensures that all the children get their nutritional needs meet.
Thinking about appeal, contrast and color are also very important when planning a well-balanced and nutritious menu. If it doesn't look good they won't eat it no matter the serving size.
The serving suggestions are divided into four age groups. This helps to specify the different nutritional needs at the assorted developmental stages. Infants, birth to eleven months old, are divided into an additional three groups to make sure that their rapid growth is considered.
For infants:
Birth thru 3 months
Should be limited to formula/breastmilk, approximately 4 to 6 oz at a setting. | 4 thru 7 months
Will need 4 to 8 oz of formula/breastmilk and can have 0-3 tbsp infant cereal at breakfast, lunch or dinner. | 8 thru 11 months
Should have 6 to 8 oz of formula/breastmilk, 2 to 4 tbsp of infant cereal and 1 to 4 tbsps of fruit or vegetables, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Plus 2 to 4 tbsps of protein can be introduced to with meals. |
As a baby reaches 12 months, new and various types of food are introduced, to provide for their changing nutritional growth requirements. And has the added benefit of offering a larger selection of foods that will interest the child.
For 1-2 year olds
Breakfast
Should include 1 fruit or vegetable , a grain and milk.
Minimum serving sizes for this group is ¼ cup; vegetable/fruit or juice, cereal or pasta. A ½ slice of bread and ½ cup of milk are the only exceptions. | Lunch/Dinner
Should include 2 different fruits or vegetables, grain, milk and a protein.
Minimum serving sizes for this group is ¼ cup; vegetable/fruit or juice, cereal or pasta, a ½ slice of bread and ½ cup of milk. Depending on the protein chosen, the amounts will vary from ½ oz of nuts to ¼ cup of cooked dry beans or peas. | Snack
Should include any 2 of the 4 components.
Minimum serving sizes for this group is ½ cup; vegetable/fruit or juice, ¼ cup cereal or pasta, a ½ slice of bread and ½ cup of milk. Protein amounts will vary from ½ oz of nuts to 1/8 cup of cooked dry beans or peas. |
For 3 to 5 year olds
Breakfast
Include 1 fruit or vegetable, a grain and milk.
Minimum serving sizes for this group is ½ cup; vegetable/fruit or juice, 1/3 cup dry cereal or ¼ cup pasta, a ½ slice of bread and ¾ cup of milk. | Lunch/Dinner
Include 2 different fruits or vegetables, grain, milk and a protein.
Minimum serving sizes for this group is ½ cup; vegetable/fruit or juice, ¼ cup cereal or pasta, a ½ slice of bread and ¾ cup of milk. Protein amounts will vary from ¾ oz of nuts to 3/8 cup of cooked dry beans or peas. | Snack
Include any 2 of the 4 components.
Minimum serving sizes for this group is ½ cup; vegetable/fruit or juice; 1/3 cup dry cereal or ¼ cup pasta, a ½ slice of bread and ½ cup of milk. Protein amounts will vary from ½ oz of nuts to 1/8 cup of cooked dry beans or peas. |
For 6 to 12 year olds
Breakfast
Include 1 fruit or vegetable, a grain and milk.
Minimum serving sizes for this group is ½ cup; vegetable/fruit or juice, ¾ cup dry cereal or ½ cup pasta, a 1 slice of bread and 1 cup of milk. | Lunch/Dinner
Include 2 different fruits or vegetables, grain, milk and a protein.
Minimum serving sizes for this group is ¾ cup; vegetable/fruit or juice, ½ cereal or pasta, a 1 slice of bread and 1 cup of milk. Protein amounts will vary from 1 oz of nuts to ½ cup of cooked dry beans or peas. | Snack
Include any 2 of the 4 components.
Minimum serving sizes for this group is ¾ cup; vegetable/fruit or juice; ¾ cup dry cereal or ½ cup pasta, a 1 slice of bread and 1 cup of milk. Protein amounts will vary from 1 oz of nuts to ¼ cup of cooked dry beans or peas. |
With this information on hand a provider can establish a menu without worry of under feeding the children. This of course does not counteract a physician recommendation for a particular child's needs.
Here is a quick and simple example (1 day) for ages 1 through 12;
Breakfast
Cheerios, Milk, OJ | Lunch
Hot Dogs, French Fries, Carrot Sticks, Buns, Milk | Snack
Bread Sticks, Tomato Sauce dip |
For more information visit USDA
Food Pyramid |
Childcare 