Daily Estimated Calories and Recommended Servings for Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Milk/Dairy According to Age and Gender
| . | 1 y . | 2–3 y . | 4–8 y . | 9–13 y . | 14–18 y . |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy, kcala | 900 | 1000 | — | — | — |
| Female | — | — | 1200 | 1600 | 1800 |
| Male | — | — | 1400 | 1800 | 2200 |
| Fat, % kcal | 30–40 | 30–35 | 25–35 | 25–35 | 25–35 |
| Milk/dairy, cupsb | 2c | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Lean meat/beans, oz | 1½ | 2 | — | 5 | — |
| Female | — | — | 3 | — | 5 |
| Male | — | — | 4 | — | 6 |
| Fruits, cupsd | 1 | 1 | 1½ | 1½ | — |
| Female | — | — | — | — | 1½ |
| Male | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Vegetables, cupsd | ¾ | 1 | — | — | — |
| Female | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2½ |
| Male | — | — | 1½ | 2½ | 3 |
| Grains, oze | 2 | 3 | — | — | — |
| Female | — | — | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Male | — | — | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| . | 1 y . | 2–3 y . | 4–8 y . | 9–13 y . | 14–18 y . |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy, kcala | 900 | 1000 | — | — | — |
| Female | — | — | 1200 | 1600 | 1800 |
| Male | — | — | 1400 | 1800 | 2200 |
| Fat, % kcal | 30–40 | 30–35 | 25–35 | 25–35 | 25–35 |
| Milk/dairy, cupsb | 2c | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Lean meat/beans, oz | 1½ | 2 | — | 5 | — |
| Female | — | — | 3 | — | 5 |
| Male | — | — | 4 | — | 6 |
| Fruits, cupsd | 1 | 1 | 1½ | 1½ | — |
| Female | — | — | — | — | 1½ |
| Male | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Vegetables, cupsd | ¾ | 1 | — | — | — |
| Female | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2½ |
| Male | — | — | 1½ | 2½ | 3 |
| Grains, oze | 2 | 3 | — | — | — |
| Female | — | — | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Male | — | — | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Calorie estimates are based on sedentary lifestyle. Increased physical activity will require additional calories (0–200 kcal/day if moderately physically active and 200–400 kcal/day if very physically active [1 kcal = 4.2 kJ]). — indicates data not applicable.
For youth 2 years and older; adapted from Table 2, Table 3, and Appendix A-2 of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. (www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines). Nutrient and energy contributions from each group are calculated according to the nutrient-dense forms of food in each group (eg, lean meats and fat-free milk).
Milk listed is fat free (except for children younger than 2 years). If 1%, 2%, or whole-fat milk is substituted, this will use, for each cup, respectively, 19, 39, or 63 kcal of discretionary calories and add 2.6, 5.1, or 9.0 g of total fat, of which 1.3, 2.6, or 4.6 g are saturated fat.
For 1-year-old children, 2% fat milk is included. If 2 cups of whole milk are substituted, 48 kcal of discretionary calories will be used.
Serving sizes are> ¼> cup for 1 year of age,> ⅓> cup for 2 to 3 years of age, and> ½> cup for ≥4 years of age. A variety of vegetables should be selected from each subgroup over the week.
Half of all grains should be whole grains.
Adapted with permission from American Heart Association. Table: dietary recommendations for children. Available at: www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3033999.