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Pediatric Diet for Children and Infants

The infant will grow faster in the first year of life than in any other time of it's life. The growth of babies and children is a reflection of the adequacy of their diet and is the single most important factor in the evaluation of nutritional status.

The infant's birth weight doubles in four months, from approximately 7 to 14 pounds, and another 7 pounds is added in the next eight months. By the end of the first year, the growth rate has decreased and the weight gain during the upcoming year may only be 5 to 7 pounds.

Unlike the formula fed baby, the infant who is breast fed does not need supplements. Breast milk and the infant's own internal energy stores will meet most of the nutritional needs for the first 6 months of life. Exceptions to this could include vitamin D, fluoride, and iron supplementation.

General Recommendations for first Foods for Infants

• Age (months) Food / Fluid
• 0-4 infant formula or breast milk
• 4-6 iron fortified rice cereal, may add other cereals as tolerated
• 5-7 strained vegetables and/or fruits and their juices, one at a time
• 6-8 protein foods- cheese, yogurt, meat, fish, chicken, egg yolk
• 9 finely chopped meat, toast, teething crackers
• 12 whole milk may be introduced

Children's Daily Food pattern for Good Nutrition

Children 1-3 years of age

• Milk and cheese: 4 servings/day (1/2 cup per serving)
• Eggs: 1 serving/day (1 egg per serving)
• Lean meat, fish, and poultry: 3+/day (1 tbsp per serving)
• Fruits and vegetables: 4+/day (1/3 cup per serving)
• Breads: 4+ serving/day (1/2-1 slice per serving)
• Cereals: 4+ serving/day (1/2 ounce per serving)
• Fats: should not exceed 1 tbsp

Children 4-5 years of age

• Milk and cheese: 4 servings/day (3/4 cup per serving)
• Eggs: 1 serving/day (1 egg per serving)
• Lean meat, fish, and poultry: 3+/day (4 tbsp per serving)
• Fruits and vegetables: 4+/day (1/2 cup per serving)
• Breads: 4+/day (1-1.5 slices per serving)
• Cereals: 4+/day (1 ounce per serving)
• Fats: should not exceed 1 tbsp

Children 6-12 years of age

• Milk and cheese: 4 servings/day (3/4 - 1 cup per serving)
• Eggs: 1 serving/day (1 egg per serving)
• Lean meat, fish, or poultry: 3+/day (1/2 cup per serving)
• Fruits and vegetables: 4+/day (1/2 cup per serving)
• Breads: 4+/day (1-2 slices per serving)
• Cereals: 4+/day (1 ounce per serving)
• Fats: should not exceed 2 tbsp

Snacks that Promote dental health of Children

Emphasize These Foods for children

• Juicy foods: apples, berries, oranges, dill pickles, grapes, peaches, pears, plums
• Crunchy foods: carrots, cauliflower, celery, apples, cabbage, cucumber slices, popcorn
• Thirst quenchers: milk, buttermilk, tomato or unsweetened juice, diet drinks
• Hunger satisfiers: meat cubes or slices, cheese cubes or slices, sardines, eggs, nuts, milk

Discourage The Following Foods for children

• Juicy foods: jams, jelly, syrups, sweetened fruits and juices, dried fruits, sweetened yogurt
• Crunchy foods: candy, cookies, sugared cereals, candied apples
• Thirst quenchers: sweetened milk, sweetened yogurt, ice cream, sweetened fruits and juices
• Hunger satisfiers: cake, cookies, pie, ice cream

Food Portions for Children

• Food portions should be adjusted appropriately for the age of the child. The child needs the same foods selected from the basic food groups as an adult, but in smaller quantities.
• A good rule of thumb for quantities is to serve 1 tbsp of cooked food per year of age (one serving). Frequency of offering food is important in fulfilling energy requirements as well as increasing nutrients. Foods should be offered 5 to 6 times per day at 2 to 2 and 1/2 hour intervals.
• New foods should be served in small portions at meal times when the child is hungry. A new food introduced in small portions is less likely to be rejected.

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