Food guide pyramid for young children 2 to 3 years old

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to develop a Food Guide Pyramid for young children 2 to 3 years old, aiming to promote nutritional orientation and healthful food habits. The Food Guide Pyramid was based on a standard diet (1300kcal) with six meals, which was calculated in accordance with the recommendations for this age group. The portions and food equivalents were established according to the total amount of energy of each food, using the "Virtual Nutri" software. The distribution of macronutrients in relation to the total caloric value was evaluated and the following results were found: 15% for proteins, 59% for carbohydrates and 26% for lipids. The values of total iron and bioavailable iron were also calculated. The foods are distributed in eight groups: rice, bread, pasta, potato, cassava (5 portions), vegetables (3 portions), fruits (3 portions), meat and eggs (2 portions), milk, cheese and yogurt (3 portions), beans (1 portion), oils and fats (1 portion) and sugar and sweets (1 portion). The Food Guide Pyramid is an important instrument for nutritional orientation, serving as a guide to establish a healthful diet for children 2 to 3 years old.