Children's Nutrition

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General Child Nutrition & Healthy Snacks

Nutrition is a building block for a healthy life. As a parent, through proper nutrition you can help your child start his or her life off on the right foot. Proper nutrition will help your child stay healthier, maintain a good body weight, and achieve a healthier life style.

This website provides information on the nutritional needs for Toddlers, Preschoolers, Preadolescents, and Adolescents. It also gives some healthy snacks for both parents and children to make and enjoy together.


Toddlers (1 to 3 Years of Age)	Preschoolers (4 to 6 Years of Age)
Energy RDA 1300cal/day or 102cal/kg	Energy RDA 1800cal/day or 90 cal/kg
Protein RDA 16g/day or 1.2g/kg	Protein RDA 24g/day or 1.1g/kg
Finger foods can be started	Should be able to eat without assistance
Child should be weaned off of their bottle by 1 year of age	Child should foods from all food groups
Spoons and cups can be used at this age	Skim or low fat milk should be substituted for whole milk
Toddlers should eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day	Preschoolers should eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day
Avoid foods that are chocking hazarads (hot dogs and nuts)	Preschoolers are able to handle foods like hot dogs and nuts
Dairy Group 3-4 servings per day	Dairy Group 3-4 servings per day
Meat Group 2-3 servings per day	Meat Group 2-3 servings per day
Vegetable Group 3-5 servings per day	Vegetable Group 3-5 servings per day
Fruit Group 2-4 servings per day	Fruit Group 2-3 servings per day
Grain Group 6-9 servings per day	Grain Group 6-9 servings per day


Preadolescents (7 to 10 Years of Age)	Adolescents (11 to 18 Years of Age)
Energy RDA 2000cal/day or 70cal/kg	Energy RDA is different by age and sex
Protein RDA 28g/day or 1g/kg	Protien RDA is different by age and sex
Meals should not be skipped	Meals should not be skipped
Healthy eating hbits should be encouraged	Limit fast food
Meals should not be eaten infornt of the TV	Calcium, iron, and zinc needs are increased
Dairy Group 3-4 servings per day	Dairy Group 3 servings per day
Meat Group 2-3 servings per day	Meat Group 2-3 servings per day
Vegetable Group 3-5 servings per day	Vegetable Group Females 4, Males 5 servings per day
Fruit Group 2-4 servings per day	Fruit Group Females 3, Males 4 servings per day
Grain Group 6-9 servings per day	Grain Group Females 9, Males 11 servings per day

Healthy Snacks for Kids

To further explore the topic of children's nutrition go to the following website.