Children who are fifteen and older may be treated as adults for the purposes of diet.
For those children ages fourteen nd below, it is best that you consult your pediatrician to find out the appropriate caloric intake for your child.
For smaller children the following applies (but again, it’s best to talk to your pediatrician):
The average 5 to 8 year-old needs about 40 calories per pound of weight, or 1,800 – 1,900 calories per day. Activity is going to have a lot to do with this, however. If your child is less active, they might need only 1,400 calories and if they are very active, they will need more.
Most dietitians recommend more than just three meals per day for kids. A good strategy is to use the 1,500 calorie Diet plan as a guide and then supplement with nutritious snacks for your children when they are active. This means that your kids can eat the same healthy diet as you with adjustments for healthy snacks.
For healthy snacks consider the following ideas.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
If you have any concerns about your children’s weight, do check with their pediatrician. He or she can help you evaluate growth patterns, as well as height and weight for age and activity levels.
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