What Types of Food Do You Feed a 4-Year-Old Child?

Feeding children is difficult. It may be tempting to serve hot dogs, pizza and other food that is sure to please any child. However, it is important to ensure that the 4-year-old you are feeding is getting proper nutrition. Be sure the child is getting the right number servings from each food group throughout the week.

  1. Grains

    • Grains provide children with the energy they need. Four-year-olds should have 4 to 5 oz. of grains every day. Breakfast is an easy way to get your 4-year-old to eat most of her daily grains. Toast, oatmeal, and cereal all contain grains and are foods that most 4-year-old children enjoy. Kid-friendly foods like grilled cheese for lunch or macaroni and cheese for dinner will also help meet daily grain requirements. Use whole-grain breads and rice pasta instead of white breads and pastas to establish healthy habits for your 4-year-old.

    Vegetables and Fruits

    • Getting children to eat vegetables is a challenge. However, 4-year-olds should eat 1 1/2 cups of vegetables and 1 cup of fruit every day. Leafy dark-green and orange vegetables generally contain the most nutrition. If your 4-year-old does not like vegetables, don't serve the vegetables on their own. Take measures to hide the vegetables in familiar foods your 4-year-old loves. For example, find a brownie recipe that requires spinach; you child will never know. Make lasagna for dinner with lots of fresh vegetables. Put fresh fruit in oatmeal for breakfast.

    Dairy Products

    • Growing children need calcium for healthy bones. Four-year-olds need 2 cups of milk or dairy products every day. This is one of the easiest food groups to get children to eat. Serve a glass of milk with cookies. Macaroni and cheese contains calcium in the cheese. Yogurt or frozen yogurt are also treats that many 4-year-olds enjoy.

    Proteins

    • Four-year-olds need 3 to 4 oz. of nutrient-rich proteins each day. This includes meats, nuts, eggs and beans. Chilli and sloppy Joes are just two examples of protein-rich meals that kids like. Many 4-year-olds like eggs scrambled or sunny side up for breakfast. Put peanut butter on toast in the morning for a serving of protein or make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Peanut butter on celery sticks or crackers is also a common favorite childhood snack.

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