Children's Caloric Intake

What is the Recommended Caloric Intake for Children?

Healthy snacks can help kids get their nutrients without eating too many calories.

With over one-third of all children in the United States either overweight or obese, its important to make sure you aren't giving your child too much to eat.

However, you don't want to give her too little either or she won't get the nutrients she needs to grow and develop properly.

Toddlers

Toddlers between the ages of 1 and 2 need about 45 calories per pound of body weight each day, which usually translates into something in the range of 1,000 to 1,400 calories per day. Since children this age have relatively small stomachs, this should be split between three meals and two or three snacks.

Preschoolers

Three-year-old children also need about 45 calories per pound of body weight, which is between 1,000 and 1,400 calories per day. However, 4-year-old children aren't growing quite as quickly, so they only need about 41 calories per pound of body weight, or about 1,200 to 2,000 calories per day. Preschoolers can be quite picky and easily distracted, so it may take longer for them to eat and it may take a bit of coaxing to get them to eat a healthy mix of foods.

School-age Children

School-age children need about 1,600 to 2,500 calories per day. Children between the ages of 5 and 6 need 41 calories per pound of body weight, and those between 7 and 11 need 32 calories per pound. Don't worry too much about your child not eating enough, since children this age usually eat when they are hungry. Serve healthy foods and encourage your child not to eat too many calories if they start to gain extra weight.

Considerations

The calorie ranges are just general guidelines, since calorie needs vary a lot based on size, activity level and whether or not kids have been sick recently. Calories aren't the only thing you need to be aware of if you want your child to be healthy. You also need to make sure you child is eating a mix of foods from all of the food groups and getting plenty of exercise.