How many calories per day should children eat.?

ebony__
ebony__ Posts: 519 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Not for a second am I considering tracking my sons calorie intake,
He's 4 and perfectly healthy and happy and has a balanced nutritious diet.
I was just curious as to if there are recommendations for children and different
Ages and things,
I often hear the term 'child sized portions' and things like that..

Any answers ?
Thoughts?
«1

Replies

  • Jynus
    Jynus Posts: 519 Member
    1) Don't EVER say 'finish your food on your plate'

    2) stop feeding him when he says he's full
  • ebony__
    ebony__ Posts: 519 Member
    1) Don't EVER say 'finish your food on your plate'

    2) stop feeding him when he says he's full

    Thanks .
    I'm pretty confident with how I feed my child. But if I followed those two rules suggested my child would probably only eat half a cup of foods day. Some Kids say they're full when they haven't even eaten anything because running off and playing seem more important haha
    Was just intersted about calorie guidline for children.


    I've since looked it up and found a few sources saying boys 4-8
    Around 1400 - 1600 give or take depending on activity, height etc..


    I just find it interesting ( and as I said to start with I have no Intention of ever counting calories for my child)

    Because some days I do feel like I eat less than my 4 year old
    But I also run And jump and roll around less ( not that I don't often do these things because I do.. Big kid here)
  • megleo818
    megleo818 Posts: 595 Member
    Yes, kids' caloric needs are very different from adults'. And each kid is different. Ask your pediatrician.
  • melodyg
    melodyg Posts: 1,423 Member
    Here's US government info, if that helps:

    http://www.nutrition.gov/life-stages/children

    http://www.choosemyplate.gov/preschoolers/meal-and-snack-patterns-ideas.html

    I don't know that my 6 year old eats anywhere near as much as they say he should... I usually serve him about half of what I eat for supper and he probably eats about half of that. He's tiny for his age, though (but perfectly healthy!) I understand on having the kid who would eat 1/2 cup of food a day if I didn't make him eat too! He's really good about making good choices, though, and if I grab a snack he usually wants the same thing (or fruit, which is good for him too!)
  • ebony__
    ebony__ Posts: 519 Member
    Yes, kids' caloric needs are very different from adults'. And each kid is different. Ask your pediatrician.

    Im not concerned about anything to need to ask a pediatrician
    Was just a post out if general interest and curiosity.
    But yes if I had concerns I'd be straight there rather than on the mfp forums :)
  • piinchi
    piinchi Posts: 172 Member
    Some Kids say they're full when they haven't even eaten anything because running off and playing seem more important haha
    Was just intersted about calorie guidline for children.

    Oh, I remember those days. I think I need to surround myself with more people playing and having fun so I say "I'm done!!" and just go run around outside. :)
  • ebony__
    ebony__ Posts: 519 Member
    Here's US government info, if that helps:

    http://www.nutrition.gov/life-stages/children

    http://www.choosemyplate.gov/preschoolers/meal-and-snack-patterns-ideas.html

    I don't know that my 6 year old eats anywhere near as much as they say he should... I usually serve him about half of what I eat for supper and he probably eats about half of that. He's tiny for his age, though (but perfectly healthy!) I understand on having the kid who would eat 1/2 cup of food a day if I didn't make him eat too! He's really good about making good choices, though, and if I grab a snack he usually wants the same thing (or fruit, which is good for him too!)

    Thanks :)
  • MaggieAudiologist
    MaggieAudiologist Posts: 23
    Good question, I wondered that too. At my house, eating your protein and veggies is not optional. Anything else is. Otherwise they would only eat rice and dessert. Those stinkers.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I always heard that a rule of thumb is that a child aged 1-4 should have 1/4 of an adult portion, or one tablespoon per year of age.

    So if you were serving chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes a 3yo would have 3/4 of a chicken breast, 3T of green beans and 3T of mashed potatoes to begin with. That being said, at 11months old my youngest was eating 1/2 a kid's cheeseburger....
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    Not for a second am I considering tracking my sons calorie intake,
    He's 4 and perfectly healthy and happy and has a balanced nutritious diet.
    I was just curious as to if there are recommendations for children and different
    Ages and things,
    I often hear the term 'child sized portions' and things like that..

    Any answers ?
    Thoughts?

    This would be a more appropriate question directed to the Pediatrician overseeing their care... Kids are not a one-size-fits-all category...
  • AlyssaNorth
    AlyssaNorth Posts: 57 Member
    I think about that all the time. i only feed my now 10 month old untill he isnt interested anymore. he will eat and entire sweet potato in one sitting. :-|
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    My pediatrician said to expect that my 4 year old son would eat between 1600 and 2200 calories a day. Some days lower, some higher.
  • MommaKit79
    MommaKit79 Posts: 852
    I hate saying to me daughters to finish what is on their plate because I dont want them to think they HAVE to but, agreed that if I dont, my daughters wont eat. LOL!!! They are pre-occupied with wanting to do everything else. I try to keep things less distracting during that time but often doesnt work.

    I jsut try to make sure they have a balanced diet and they eat as little "junk" as possible. the good thing is that my daughter likes to eat healthy and it still lights her butt up if she has too much sugar (she is 2). My step-daughter doesnt have good habits at her mommy's house so, it is a little bit more of a battle but, getting there. LOL!!!
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    My almost 1 year old is roughly at 1000 calories a day, my 2 1/2 year old is roughly at 1200-1400 calories a day. Both are healthy, active (my eldest can walk 5k then play in the playground for an hour), growing little girls.
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/consumer/archives/percentDV.htm

    found this online. It has a chart you can use. goes by age and gender. Good luck. :flowerforyou:
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    Here's US government info, if that helps:

    http://www.nutrition.gov/life-stages/children

    http://www.choosemyplate.gov/preschoolers/meal-and-snack-patterns-ideas.html

    I don't know that my 6 year old eats anywhere near as much as they say he should... I usually serve him about half of what I eat for supper and he probably eats about half of that. He's tiny for his age, though (but perfectly healthy!) I understand on having the kid who would eat 1/2 cup of food a day if I didn't make him eat too! He's really good about making good choices, though, and if I grab a snack he usually wants the same thing (or fruit, which is good for him too!)

    Thanks :)

    no offense to the government but their advice is to eat more grain and more soy. I would not follow their advice unless you reach that conclusion based on your own preference and research
  • DonaA123
    DonaA123 Posts: 337 Member
    bump
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    1) Don't EVER say 'finish your food on your plate'

    2) stop feeding him when he says he's full

    Thanks .
    I'm pretty confident with how I feed my child. But if I followed those two rules suggested my child would probably only eat half a cup of foods day. Some Kids say they're full when they haven't even eaten anything because running off and playing seem more important haha
    Was just intersted about calorie guidline for children.


    I've since looked it up and found a few sources saying boys 4-8
    Around 1400 - 1600 give or take depending on activity, height etc..


    I just find it interesting ( and as I said to start with I have no Intention of ever counting calories for my child)

    Because some days I do feel like I eat less than my 4 year old
    But I also run And jump and roll around less ( not that I don't often do these things because I do.. Big kid here)

    the american academy of peds has it on their website. It's a tough question though. My 3 year old goes through growth spurts and lulls, he eats more and sleeps more when he's growing, less when he's not so meals are pretty much self directed. As long as he has good options to chose from, I just let him decide when he's done or if he'd like more. he frequently would rather play than eat, but I find that eventually he gives into his belly as long as I don't push it too hard.
  • Fitorbust73
    Fitorbust73 Posts: 80 Member
    I often see people saying ask your doctor ask your pediatrition --- not sure if people realise HOW LITTLE training most doctors get on nutrition --- your better off researching for yourself, going to a dietician then asking your doctor !!!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    1) Don't EVER say 'finish your food on your plate'

    2) stop feeding him when he says he's full

    Agreed.
  • jmalone71
    jmalone71 Posts: 34 Member
    I also struggle with this, I Have a 5 yr old who can out eat most adults. She weighs 56 lbs , but is solid built,not fat and everyone mistakes her as being 7 or 8.
    .
    She is very active and loves to exercise and go for walks and play outside. Lately i have been trying to cut her food intake a bit without her knowing. She over eats just because the likes the taste of things and i can see my patterns that have led to major problems in being overweight developing in her and i am not sure how to counter act that.

    What i have been doing lately is just making healthy meals, only making enough for us to have 1 serving and then if she is still hungry to offer fruit or some more veggies, she rarely wants that, but if there was more supper there, she would eat another bowl full. She has just started school, so it is making it easier in one sense because she only has access to what i pack for her lunches and i try to make sure she has a nice balanced meal and a good healthy snack , usually fruit .

    Does this sound like i am on the right path ??

    I have the opposite problem with her 3 yr old brother who is small for his age.
  • yokurio
    yokurio Posts: 116 Member
    I tell my kids to eat until they aren't hungry anymore. If you tell them to eat until they are full, that's what they do. If they eat until they aren't hungry anymore they will catch on to the "live life in balance", which most kids aren't learning now-a-days.
  • Koldnomore
    Koldnomore Posts: 1,613 Member
    I also struggle with this, I Have a 5 yr old who can out eat most adults. She weighs 56 lbs , but is solid built,not fat and everyone mistakes her as being 7 or 8.
    .
    She is very active and loves to exercise and go for walks and play outside. Lately i have been trying to cut her food intake a bit without her knowing. She over eats just because the likes the taste of things and i can see my patterns that have led to major problems in being overweight developing in her and i am not sure how to counter act that.

    What i have been doing lately is just making healthy meals, only making enough for us to have 1 serving and then if she is still hungry to offer fruit or some more veggies, she rarely wants that, but if there was more supper there, she would eat another bowl full. She has just started school, so it is making it easier in one sense because she only has access to what i pack for her lunches and i try to make sure she has a nice balanced meal and a good healthy snack , usually fruit .

    Does this sound like i am on the right path ??

    I have the opposite problem with her 3 yr old brother who is small for his age.

    Our 4yr old sometimes seems like a bottomless pit. We have told him on occasion 'that's enough' because he will eat SO fast that it is impossible for him to 'feel' full. We have been encouraging him (and me also) to slow down when eating and have noticed that if we remind him that he is not allowed to get up from the table until everyone is done eating he will not scarf things back quite so fast.

    I have heard that a child's stomach is about the size of their fist so they really don't need all that much food but if left to their own devices they will always choose to eat the 'tasty' things first - for ours its always his rice/potato before anything else so we do not offer more until he has had some of the other things and even then he does not get much more.

    His trick is to start saying "but I'm still hungry" to get more 'bad' food - of course when we offer veggies or fruit all of a sudden he is full. Kids are sneaky..
  • ebony__
    ebony__ Posts: 519 Member
    I'm really not sure but 56lbs doesn't sound like an unhealthy weight to me for a 5 year old. ?

    It's funny how I feel like I'm still new to the whole being a mum thing even though my son is 4 next month..
    But sounds to me like your doing the right thing IMO

    When they're that young we basically have full control over what they eat ( except when they go to visit the grandparents :p )
    I love making my son healthy balanced meals
    But he definately finds playing more interesting than food lol
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    1) Don't EVER say 'finish your food on your plate'

    2) stop feeding him when he says he's full

    If you don't have any sit-down family meal times and just feed kids whenever they're hungry that would work. Otherwise it won't work at all for 90% of kids.
  • GamerGurl729
    GamerGurl729 Posts: 286 Member
    Some Kids say they're full when they haven't even eaten anything because running off and playing seem more important haha
    Was just intersted about calorie guidline for children.

    Oh, I remember those days. I think I need to surround myself with more people playing and having fun so I say "I'm done!!" and just go run around outside. :)

    THIS!
  • shaycg21
    shaycg21 Posts: 36
    I often see people saying ask your doctor ask your pediatrition --- not sure if people realise HOW LITTLE training most doctors get on nutrition --- your better off researching for yourself, going to a dietician then asking your doctor !!!

    This is so true! My dd's ped gave us advice and when we meet with a nutritionist it was all wrong!!!
  • tappae
    tappae Posts: 568 Member
    1) Don't EVER say 'finish your food on your plate'

    2) stop feeding him when he says he's full

    If you don't have any sit-down family meal times and just feed kids whenever they're hungry that would work. Otherwise it won't work at all for 90% of kids.

    Yeah, I sympathize with what Jynus is saying, because my own over-eating started when I was a kid, but small children can't always self-monitor like that. Parents have to make sure their child is getting enough (and the right kinds of stuff).

    OP, in general, as long as he's growing and healthy and active I'm sure you're fine. My two-year-old often eats more than my wife (depending on what we're having).
  • awebs89
    awebs89 Posts: 53 Member
    When I worked at a day care the portion sizes we did was 1/2 cup of fruits 1/2 cup of veggies then I think it was 1.5 oz of meat
  • ebony__
    ebony__ Posts: 519 Member
    Not for a second am I considering tracking my sons calorie intake,
    He's 4 and perfectly healthy and happy and has a balanced nutritious diet.
    I was just curious as to if there are recommendations for children and different
    Ages and things,
    I often hear the term 'child sized portions' and things like that..

    Any answers ?
    Thoughts?

    This would be a more appropriate question directed to the Pediatrician overseeing their care... Kids are not a one-size-fits-all category...


    Cheers
    Not posting for medical advice,
    Just for thoughts an discussion.

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