The Food Guide Pyramid should be used to help educate you about how to eat nutritious foods and live a healthy lifestyle. Your 4 to 6 year old has specific nutritional and physical activity requirements that differ from your own. Understanding the Food Guide Pyramid will help you make the best food choices for your child as well as find ways to increase her activity level. Learning more about the pyramid will also enable you to serve your child appropriate portions of nutritious food from each food group.
Step 1
Give your child 4 to 5 oz. of grains each day. A 1 oz. serving is equivalent to one slice of bread, 1/2 of an English muffin or bagel, 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta or 1 cup of dry cereal, says Kids Health. MyPyramid encourages you to make half your child's grains whole to increase his intake of fiber and nutrients.
Step 2
Offer your child 1-1/2 cups of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables each day. Include servings in a variety of different colors to increase your child's consumption of essential vitamins and minerals, according to Kids Health. Carrots, green beans, peas, bell peppers, leafy greens and squash are nutritious options.
Step 3
Provide your child with 1 to 1-1/2 cups of fresh, frozen or canned fruits each day. Offer fruits in a variety of colors, recommends Kids Health, as another way to ensure your child is getting the nutrients she needs as she continues to grow. Strawberries, cantaloupe, bananas, grapes, blueberries, peaches, pears and oranges are all healthy options.
Step 4
Include at least 2 cups of low-fat or fat-free milk. Serving plenty of milk will help your child get the calcium and protein he needs to grow and develop. Offer other dairy products as well---including yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese to help your child consume enough of these important nutrients.
Step 5
Cook three to four servings of lean meats or beans for your child on a daily basis. Meat and beans are filled with protein, which is essential for your 4 to 6 year old's ongoing growth, reports Kids Health. About 1 oz. of lean beef, pork, chicken, turkey or fish is considered one serving. A 1/4 cup of beans, one egg, one tbsp. of peanut butter or a 1/2 oz. of nuts or seeds can also help your child get enough protein.
Step 6
Limit how many servings of oil and fat your 4 to 6 year old eats each day. Keep your child's intake at 4 tsp. or less per day. Use healthy oils such as olive or canola---avoid butter, margarine and sour cream.
Step 7
Add plenty of time for your child to exercise. Your preschooler needs 60 minutes of exercise per day, reports Kids Health. Plan family activities such as afternoon hikes, nature walks or outside games, to help your child reach this goal. Sign him up for his favorite sport or register for karate or swim class as another way to encourage him to get active.
Tips and Warnings
- Try new foods together. According to MyPyramid, sampling new foods will expand the nutritious options your child is willing to eat so you can be sure he is getting what he needs to be healthy. Model how to eat new foods and allow your child to choose one food he has not tried, to help motivate him to develop new tastes.
- Do not put your child on a diet without consulting her doctor first. The Food Guide Pyramid is designed to teach lifelong healthy eating habits and is not meant to be used as a diet program.
Things You'll Need
- Copy of the Food Guide Pyramid
- Healthy foods
Member Comments