Sample Daily Menu for a 4 Year Old

This typical menu was designed for a 4-year-old weighing about 36 pounds.

Breakfast

• One-half cup of 2% milk
• One-half cup of cereal
• Four to 6 oz of citrus or tomato juice or 1⁄2 cup of cantaloupe or strawberries

Snack

• One-half cup of 2% milk
• One-half cup of banana
• One slice of whole wheat bread
• One teaspoon of margarine (or butter)
• One teaspoon of jelly

Lunch

• One-half cup of 2% milk
• One sandwich—2 slices of whole wheat bread, 1 teaspoon of margarine (or butter) or 2 teaspoons of salad dressing, and 1 oz of meat or cheese
• One-fourth cup of dark-yellow or dark-green vegetable

Snack

• One teaspoon of peanut butter or 1 slice of low-fat cheese
• One slice of whole wheat bread or 5 crackers

Dinner

• One-half cup of 2% milk
• Two oz or about 1⁄4 cup of meat, fish, or chicken
• One-half cup of pasta, rice, or potato
• One-half cup of vegetables
• One teaspoon of margarine (or butter) or 2 teaspoons of salad dressing