Food Pyramid Guide

Use this USDA Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children and the portion information below to help in choosing foods for healthful meals. Foods pictured are those most commonly eaten by 2- to 6-year-olds. Offer young children small servings, especially of new foods; they can always ask for more. Remember: It takes time and many tastings for some children to accept new foods, and some foods they may never like. Let children determine their own serving size so that they take responsibility for how much they eat. Always watch children during meals and snacks. Young children, ages 2 to 3 especially, are at risk of choking on food.

USDA Department of Agriculture Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

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What Counts as One Serving?

Grain Group

1
slice of bread

½ cup of cooked rice or pasta

½ cup of cooked cereal

1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal

Vegetable Group

½
cup of chopped raw or cooked vegetables

1 cup of raw leafy vegetables

Fruit Group

1	piece of fruit or melon wedge
¾	cup of juice
½	cup of canned fruit
¼	cup of dried fruit

Milk Group

1	cup of milk or yogurt
2	ounces of cheese

Meat Group

2	to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish
½	cup of cooked dry beans, or 1 egg counts as 1 ounce of lean meat.
2	tablespoons of peanut butter count as 1 ounce of meat.

Fats and Sweets
Limit calories from these foods.

For more information or a copy of the "Celebrate Healthy Eating" curriculum,
call (914) 332-1092.

Important Nutrition Goals Ten Tips for Healthy Eating