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Suggested Portion Sizes for Children Aged 1 Year

Meal pattern
  • 3 small meals and 3 snacks plus milk

Meat, fish etc.

 
  • ½ - 1 tablespoon (20-30g) minced/finely chopped with gravy/sauce
  • ½ - 1 hard boiled/well cooked egg

Cheese
  • 20g grated

Potato
  • 1 tablespoon (30g) mashed

Fruit and Vegetables

 
  • ½ - 1 piece (40-80g)
  • 1 tablespoon (30g)             
  • Aim for 5/day

Dessert (e.g. custard/yoghurt)
  • 2 tablespoons (60g)

Bread
  • ½ - 1 slice (20-30g)

Breakfast cereal

 
  • 1 tablespoon (15g)
  • ½ Weetabix

Drinks

 
  • ¾ teacup (100ml)         
  • Aim for 6-8 drinks/day

Milk
  • 500ml whole milk/day

Suggested Portion Sizes for Children Aged 2-3 Years

Meal pattern
  • 3 small meals and 2-3 snacks or milky drinks

Meat, fish etc.
  • 1½ tablespoons (20-30g) chopped
  • 1 fish finger
  • 1 sausage
  • 1 egg

Cheese
  • 25-30g cubed or grated

Potato
  • 1-2 tablespoons (30-60g); 6 smallish chips

Fruit and Vegetables
  • 1 piece (80-100g)
  • 1-2 tablespoon (30-60g)        
  • Aim for 5/day

Dessert (e.g. custard/yoghurt)
  • 2-3 tablespoons (60-80g)

Bread
  • 1 large slice (40g)

Breakfast cereal

 
  • 1-1½  tablespoon (15-20g)
  • 1 Weetabix

Drinks

 
  • 1 cup (150ml)           
  • Aim for 6-8 drinks/day

Milk
  • 350ml whole or semi-skimmed milk/day

Suggested Portion Sizes for Children Aged 3-5 Years

Meal pattern
  • 3 small meals and 1-2 snacks or milky drinks

Meat, fish etc.
  • 2-3 tablespoons (40-80g)
  • 1-2 fish fingers/sausages

Cheese
  • 30-40g

Potato
  • 2-3 tablespoons (60-80g)
  • 8-10 chips

Fruit and Vegetables
  • 1 piece (100g)
  • 2-3 tablespoon (60-80g)    
  • Aim for 5/day

Dessert (e.g. custard/yoghurt)
  • 4 tablespoons (120g)
  • 1 carton yoghurt (150g)

Bread
  • 1-2 large slices (40-80g)

Breakfast cereal
  • 2-3 tablespoons (20-30g)
  • 1 Weetabix

Drinks
  • 1 cup (150ml)        
  • Aim for 6-8 drinks/day

Milk

350ml milk/day

Suggested Portion Sizes for Children Aged 10 Years

Meal pattern
  • 3 meals and 1-2 snacks or milky drinks

Meat, fish etc.
  • 90-120g meat
  • 3-4 fish fingers/sausages

Cheese
  • 50-60g

Potato
  • 4-6 tablespoons (100-180g)
  • 100-150g chips

Fruit

Vegetables
  • 1 piece (100g)
  • 3-4 tablespoon (100-120g)       
  • Aim for 5/day

Dessert (e.g. custard/yoghurt)
  • 6 tablespoons (180g)

Bread
  • 2-4 slices (80-160g)

Breakfast cereal

 
  • 3-4 tablespoons (30-40g)
  • 2 Weetabix

Drinks

 
  • 1 mug (200ml)           
  • Aim for 6-8 drinks/day

Milk
  • 350ml milk/day

 

Contact us

If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.

About this information

Service:
Dietetics

Reference:
DT/074

Approval date:
21 May 2026

Review date:
1 May 2029

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Important note 

This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.