Children's nutrition can prove to be a big concern for parents. Moms and dads often wonder if their kids are eating enough or too much, or if they are eating the right foods to help them develop correctly and feel their best. Start by knowing how many calories your child needs each day.
General Information
According to the USDA, kids' caloric requirements vary according to their age, sex and activity level. It is important to make sure that your child's calorie intake comes from a variety of foods from all five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy, and that you limit empty calories from sugar and starches. Eating the right foods is just as important as eating the right amount of calories. For a breakdown of how much of each food group your child needs, visit the resource below.
Toddlers
The American Heart Association reports that 1-year-old boys and girls both need about 900 calories each day and 2 to 3-year-olds should consume about 1,000 calories each day. Toddlers can be picky eaters, but supplying a variety of healthy choices at meals and snack times can help them get their daily calorie requirements.
Younger Kids
Caloric needs jump quite a bit as kids enter the school years and become more active. According to the USDA, for boys, 4 and 5 year olds need between 1,200 and 1,600 calories each day, 6 and 7 year olds should consume between 1,400 and 1,800 calories. Eight-year-old boys need 1,400 to 2,000 calories daily. For girls, the average 4 year old needs 1,200 to 1,400 calories a day, and 5 and 6 year olds should eat between 1,200 and 1,600 calories each day. A 7-year-old girl needs 1,200 to 1,800 calories daily, and an 8-year-old girl needs 1,400 to 1,800 calories each day.
Pre-teens
Pre-teens going through growth spurts and preparing for puberty need lots of energy for their changing bodies. The USDA reports that for boys, 9 year olds should consume between 1,600 and 2,000 calories each day. A 10-year-old boy needs 1,600 to 2,200 calories daily, and an 11 year old needs 1,800 to 2,200 calories daily. For girls, the USDA recommends that 9 year olds eat between 1,600 and 1,800 calories each day, and 10 year olds eat between 1,600 and 2,000 calories each day. An 11-year-old girl needs 1,600 to 2,000 calories daily.
Teens
For boys, especially, caloric needs are higher during the teen years than any other time in life. A teen boy involved in sports might eat twice as much as he did before he entered high school. According to the Riley Hospital for Children, boys between ages 11 and 14 need about 2,500 calories each day. 15 to 18-year-old boys need about 3,000 calories each day. For girls, 11 to 18 year olds should consume about 2,200 calories daily.
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