Kindergarten-age children are often very picky eaters and need to snack every few hours since they are growing so fast. There are five major food groups for kindergartners to eat every day so that they will get enough vitamins and minerals to grow up big and strong. They may receive foods from some food groups, such as milk, at school, but many of these food groups, such as vegetables, should be provided at home by the parents.
Meats, Beans and Nuts
Meats, beans and nuts are all foods rich in proteins. Protein gives children energy and strengthens their muscles as they grow. Vegetarian children can get enough protein foods in their diet too, but must eat beans, lentils, nuts and tofu to get their protein. Kindergarteners should eat three to four ounces of protein foods each day.
Milk, Cheese and Yogurt
Kindergartners need dairy foods--which include milk, cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt--in their diet. Dairy products have calcium, which is important for the health of a child's bones and teeth. Kindergartners should get three or four servings of dairy products each day, but no more. One serving of dairy would be a four-ounce glass of milk, one cup of yogurt or one piece of string cheese.
Fruits
Fruits should make up a good portion of a kindergartner's diet. Since most fruits have a sweet taste, young children usually like eating fruits. This food group provides vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which protect children from getting sick. Kindergartners' portions are smaller than adults', so a half of an apple or ¼ cup of dried fruits like raisins would make up a portion. Kindergartners should eat two to four servings of fruits every day.
Vegetables
Vegetables are not the favorite food group of most kindergartners, but they are still important to eat. Carrots, cabbages, broccoli and onions are rich in fiber so they can help prevent constipation, a common issue for young children. Kindergartners should eat three to five servings of vegetables per day. A serving of vegetables can be as small as a half cup of cooked spinach in an omelet.
Grains
Pastas, rice, cereal, bread, bagels and crackers make up the grains food group. Kindergartners should eat six to 11 small servings of grains each day. A serving could be four crackers or ½ cup of rice. Grains are usually the main part of the meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner for kindergartners.
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