Food Groups

Servings Per Day

Average Size Of Serving

1 year

1-3 years

4-5 years

6-9 years

10-12 years

13-15- years

Milk and Dairy Products
(1.5 oz. cheese=1 cup milk)

4

1/2 cup

1/2-3/4 cup

3/4 cup

3/4-1 cup

1 cup

1 cup

Meat Group 
(Protein foods)
Egg
Lean meat, fish poultry,
or peanut butter

3 or more

1 egg
2 tbsp.

1 egg
2 tbsp.

1 egg
2-3 oz.

1 egg
2-4 oz.

1-2 eggs
3-4 oz.

1-2 or more
4 or more oz.

Fruits and vegetables
Vitamin C source (citrus)
Vitamin A source
(green or yellow fruits and vegetables)
Other vegetables (potato, legumes, etc.)OR
Other fruits (apple, banana etc.)

At least 4, including:
1 or more
1 or more

2

1/3 cup
2 tbsp.


2 tbsp.

1/4 cup

1/2 cup
3 tbsp.


3 tbsp

1/3 cup

1/2 cup
1/4 cup


1/4 cup

1/2 cup

1/2 cup
1/4 cup


1/3 cup

1 medium

1/2 cup
1/3 cup


1/2 cup

1 medium

1/2 cup
1/2 cup


3/4 cup

1 medium

Bread/Cereals 
(whole grain or enriched)
Bread
Ready-to-eat cereals
Cooked cereal (including macaroni, spaghetti, rice, etc.)

At least 4

1/2 slice
1/2 oz.
1/4 cup

1 slice
3/4 oz.
1/2 cup

1 1/2 slice
1 oz.
1/2 cup

1-2 slices
1 oz.
1/2 cup

2 slices
1 oz.
3/4 cup

2 slices
1-1/2 oz.
1 cup or more

Fats and Carbohydrates
Butter, Margarine, mayonnaise,
oils: 1 tbsp=100 calories
servings as follows:
1/3 cup cup pudding or ice cream
2-3 cookies, 1 oz. cake,
1-1/3 oz. pie, 2 tbsp. jelly,
jam, honey, or sugars

To meet caloric needs

1 tbsp.


1 serving

1 tbsp.


1-1/2 servings

1 tbsp.


1-1/2 servings

2 tbsp.


3 servings

2-3 tbsp.


3 servings

2-3 tbsp.


3-6 servings

Calories for a Day

± 950

± 1300

± 1600

± 2100

± 2500

± 2700