New dietary guidelines set daily fruit and vegetable targets for kids

New dietary guidelines have been released for children and teenagers. These outline the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables for different age groups. The advice also includes a simple rule for meal portions. For the youngest children, aged 12 to 23 months, the suggestion is 2/3 to 1 cup of vegetables per day. They should also eat between 1/2 and 1 cup of fruit daily.

Children aged 2 to 4 years need 1 to 2 cups of vegetables each day. Their fruit intake should be 1 to 1 1/2 cups.

For ages 5 to 8, the recommendation increases to 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups of vegetables. Fruit consumption should range from 1 to 2 cups per day.

Older children, aged 9 to 13, have varying needs. Girls should eat 1 1/2 to 3 cups of vegetables, while boys need 2 to 3 1/2 cups. Both groups are advised to consume 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fruit daily.

Teenagers aged 14 to 18 require the most. Girls should aim for 2 1/2 to 3 cups of vegetables, and boys 2 1/2 to 4 cups. Their fruit intake should be 1 1/2 to 2 cups per day.

The guidelines also suggest that half of a child’s plate at each meal should consist of vegetables and fruits. The new recommendations provide clear targets for daily fruit and vegetable consumption. They aim to help parents and carers plan balanced meals for children of all ages. The advice stresses the importance of filling half the plate with these foods.