During the preschool years, your child should be eating the same
foods as the rest of the family, with an emphasis on those with
nutritional value. This includes fresh vegetables and fruits, nonfat
or lowfat dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheeses), lean meats
(chicken, turkey, fish, lean hamburger), and whole grain cereals
and bread. At the same time, limit or eliminate the junk food in
your child's diet, and get rid of sugared beverages as well. See the
following sample menu ideas for a four-year-old child.
Note: This menu is planned for a fouryearold child who weighs
approximately 36 pounds (16.5 kg).
1 teaspoon = 1⁄3 tablespoon (5 mL)
1 tablespoon = ½ ounce (15 mL)
1 ounce = 30 mL
1 cup = 8 ounces (240 mL)
Breakfast
½ cup nonfat or lowfat milk
½ cup cereal
4–6 oz. or ½ cup cantaloupe or strawberries or banana
Snack
½ cup nonfat or lowfat milk
½ cup fruit such as melon, banana, or berries
½ cup yogurt
Lunch
½ cup nonfat or lowfat milk
1 sandwich—2 slices whole wheat bread with 1–2 oz. of meat and
cheese, veggie, and dressing (if needed) or peanut butter and jelly
¼ cup darkyellow or darkgreen vegetable
Snack
1 teaspoon peanut butter with 1 slice whole-wheat bread or 5 crackers
or string cheese or cutup fruit
Dinner
½ cup nonfat or lowfat milk
2 ounces meat, fish, or chicken
½ cup pasta, rice, or potato
¼ cup vegetable
If your family would like to include margarine, butter, or salad d