Toddler Food Groups
Foods are grouped together mainly due to their similarity in nutrients. The aim of this is to encourage a variety of consumption across the five food groups each day in proportions that meet with dietary guidelines.
Food Group 1 – Breads and Cereals
This group comes from grains like wheat, oats, rice, rye, barley, millet and corn.
What nutrients do these foods provide?
- Carbohydrates
- B vitamins
- Some calcium
- Iron
- Fibre.
Serves per day: 4-5
Example of Serve:
- 1 slice bread
- ½ bread roll
- 2-4 savoury crackers
- ¼-½ cup cereal flakes
- ½ cup porridge
- 1 cereal biscuit
- ½ cup pasta/rice/noodles.
Food Group 2 – Fruits
Fruit is formed from the flower of plants and contains the seeds of the plant.
What nutrients do these foods provide?
- Vitamins
- Mineral
- Carbohydrates
- Fibre.
Serves per day: 2
Example of serve:
- ½ medium fruit (pear/apple)
- 1 small piece (apricot/plum)
- ¼ cup juice (diluted)
- ½ cup canned fruit
- 1 tbsp sultanas/dried fruit.
Food Group 3 – Vegetables
Vegetables come from plant parts, including roots, tuber, flowers, leaves, seeds, stems and shoots.
What nutrients do these foods provide?
- Vitamins
- Mineral
- Carbohydrates
- Fibre.
Serves per day: 3-4
Example of serve:
- ¼ cup cooked vegetables
- ½ potato/carrot
- ¼ cup legumes
- ½ cup salad vegetables.
Food Group 4 – Dairy Foods
This group includes milk, cheese and yogurts.
Please note: Reduced fat milk should only be served to your child AFTER two years of age.
What nutrients do these foods provide?
- Calcium
- Protein
- Vitamins.
Serves per day: 2
Example of serve:
- 250mL milk
- 200g yoghurt
- 250mL custard
- 40g cheese (2 slices).
Food Group 5 – Meats and Alternatives
This includes meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans, pulses, legumes, nuts and seeds.
What nutrients do these foods provide?
- Protein
- Iron
- Vitamins
- Minerals.
Serves per day: 1-2
Example of serve:
- 30g cooked meat/chicken
- 1 slice roast meat
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup baked beans/legumes
- 40-60g cooked fish fillet.
Extra Foods
Examples of this group includes cakes, crisp, pies, sausage rolls pastries and biscuits. These foods are not essential in the diet and should be chosen only in small amount or not at all.
What about fats & oils?
Foods in this group contain fatty acids but only need to be eaten sometimes or in small amounts. Other foods also contain fatty acids such as meat and dairy products.
