portion chartNew federal efforts aimed at improving children’s health and preventing childhood obesity by regulating school lunches and breakfasts does not have to stop when your children return home. Rest assured that your children are being fed properly during breakfast and lunch but it can be difficult to know what is appropriate and how much in these extra cheese, supersize-me times in which we are living.

The best way to keep your child’s portions in check is through the use of visual cues. When filling a child’s plate (6+), remember that they need 5-7 servings of Grains, 5-6 servings of proteins, 3 servings of dairy, 4-6 servings of vegetables, 3-4 servings of fruit. For consideration, students will receive about 2/3rds of their daily nutritional requirements at school if they eat everything they are provided. Make sure to ask your children what they ate for lunch/breakfast at school every day. Try to eat as many meals with your child as you can so they can see you eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains at meals and snacks.