Children's nutrition can be tough to fully understand, so a food pyramid is a big help and a useful guideline when planning meals. Every parent wants to give their kids the best resources to grow healthy and strong, and providing good food is an important part of that equation. With the USDA's food pyramid for kids, parents can make informed decisions about what to put on the table.
Layout
In 2005, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an updated version of the Food Guide Pyramid for adults and an accompanying version for kids. The pyramid graphic depicts a hiker climbing up the side of the pyramid to remind kids that exercise and everyday movement should always go along with a healthy diet.
From left to right, the pyramid has six angled vertical stripes representing a grain group, vegetable group, fruit group, fats and oils segment, dairy group and protein group. The wider the segment, the more daily servings from that group are recommended by the USDA.
Comparison
The kids' food pyramid is the same as the Food Guide Pyramid for adults with the exception that it appears more stylized. An additional difference is that the food pyramid for adults recommends specific numbers of servings from each group to eat daily, but the kids' pyramid does not have such recommendations. Instead, organizations such as KidsHealth suggest that kids of different ages eat certain measurable quantities (in ounces or cups) of foods from each pyramid group.
Amounts
The Mayo Clinic recommends that toddlers (children ages two or three) eat 1,000 to 1,400 calories daily. Girls ages four to eight should get 1,200 to 1,800 calories daily, and boys of the same age need 1,400 to 2,000. Girls ages nine to 13 need 1,600 to 2,200, and boys in that age range need 1,800 to 2,600 calories.
Children under age 13 need 4 to 6 ounces of grain servings each day, at least half of which should be whole grains. KidsHealth also recommends that kids under 13 get 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups of vegetables daily, 1 to 1 1/2 cups of fruit, 2 to 3 cups of milk or dairy, and 3 to 5 ounces of lean protein.
Age
Just as child's age influences the total number of calories and amount of food that is normal for him or her to eat, it also influences dietary recommendations. Very young children need fewer calories, protein, carbohydrates and fiber, and as kids grow, they need more of each item to help them develop normally. Keep in mind that both children need the same vitamins, minerals and nutrients that adults need.
Preparations
The way that parents prepare food is nearly as important as what they serve. Medline Plus, a division of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, encourages parents to broil, grill or steam foods instead of frying them. These methods minimize additions of fat and cholesterol and maximize available nutrients.
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