The USDA Food Guide Pyramid is an outline of what to eat each day. These foods should be used sparingly. Each of the food groups provides some but not all the nutrients needed for good health. No one food is more important than another. For good health, you need selections from all the food groups.
Most young children have small capacities and prefer small, frequent meals.
Children need snacks. Offer snacks at regular times such as mid morning and mid afternoon. Don't let children nibble constantly during the day. Cheese slices, dried fruits, and fresh vegetables and fruits cut up and stored in the refrigerator are good choices. Snacks that contain few nutrients have calories that might crowd out more important foods and could lead to obesity.