Here is what the USDA recommends for young children. Four- to 6-year-olds can eat these serving sizes. Offer 2- to 3-year-olds less, except for milk. Two- to 6-year-old children need a total of 2 servings from the milk group each day.
Grain Group (6 servings)
Vegetable Group (3 servings)
Fruit Group (2 servings)
Milk Group (2 servings)
Meat Group (2 servings)
Fats and Sweets
Borrowed from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, January 2000, Program Aid 1652. Accessed on March 8, 2005 at: http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/KidsPyra/.
Additional resources for parents:
USDA Food Pyramid handout for parents Link to USDApyramid_pt on DAV
The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to your Child's Nutrition, edited by William H. Deitz, and Loraine Stern, 1999.