Because it is not always easy to have in mind the right portions to give to your child, here are the new recommendations in force according to their age.
Public Health France is launching an information campaign concerning the diet of children aged 4 and over. Parents are not always aware of the right portions to give their child. Indeed, according to the latest studies, the eating habits of children remain quite far from the recommendations of the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS). “Dietary recommendations for children may be subject to a certain lack of knowledge or preconceived ideas. If parents tend to naturally raise the subject with health professionals for toddlers, this is less the case when children start to grow up.“, notes Anne-Juliette Serry, head of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Unit.
Therefore, the recommended portions for children are different from those for adults and change depending on their age. Concerning fruits and vegetables for example, it is recommended to get children used to eating them every day (fresh, frozen or canned, raw or cooked, plain or prepared) to gradually reach at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. adulthood. If you give fruit juice to your child, prefer pressed fruit (juices contain too much sugar and are low in fiber). Furthermore, they do not count as a daily serving of fruits and vegetables. In what quantity? No more than 1/2 glass per day before 11 years of age and one glass maximum after 11 years of age.
Other foods must still be limited, particularly for proteins: between 4 and 6 years old, on average, the portion offered corresponds to half that of an adult (for example, half a steak for a child aged 4 to 6 years VS a steak for an adult; 1 egg for a child aged 4 to 6 VS 2 eggs for an adult). The quantities gradually increase from the age of 7 to reach those of an adult after 11 years.
Children and adolescents also need a calcium intake with three dairy products per day (while two are sufficient for adults). But be careful:children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk or raw milk cheeses (except Emmental or Comté), due to infectious risks” recalls Public Health France.