Table 2.
Mean amounts of MyPyramid Equivalent Food Groups from foods and beverages provided to and consumed by 3–4-year-old children during two days of observation at child-care centres in New York City, April–June 2010
| Recommended daily amounts of food groups in two USDA Food Patterns† | From foods and beverages provided (n 211)‡ | From foods and beverages consumed (n 630)‡ | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyPyramid Equivalent Food Groups* | 1200 kcal§ | 1400 kcal§ | Mean amount | % of 1200 kcal Food Pattern§ | % of 1400 kcal Food Pattern§ | Mean amount | % of 1200 kcal Food Pattern§ | % of 1400 kcal Food Pattern§ |
| Grains (oz) | 4·00 | 5·00 | 2·62 | 65·5 | 52·4 | 1·94 | 48·5 | 38·8 |
| Whole grains|| | 2·00 | 2·50 | 0·49 | 24·6 | 19·6 | 0·37 | 18·6 | 14·9 |
| Vegetables¶ (c) | 1·50 | 1·50 | 0·53 | 35·4 | 35·4 | 0·31 | 20·9 | 20·9 |
| Dark green | 0·14 | 0·14 | 0·06 | 39·7 | 39·7 | 0·03 | 22·4 | 22·4 |
| Red and orange | 0·43 | 0·43 | 0·16 | 36·4 | 36·4 | 0·11 | 24·7 | 24·7 |
| Beans and peas (legumes) | 0·07 | 0·07 | 0·03 | 42·4 | 42·4 | 0·02 | 26·1 | 26·1 |
| Starchy | 0·50 | 0·50 | 0·16 | 32·0 | 32·0 | 0·09 | 18·1 | 18·1 |
| Other | 0·37 | 0·37 | 0·17 | 45·8 | 45·8 | 0·09 | 23·2 | 23·2 |
| Fruits and Fruit Juices (c) | 1·00 | 1·50 | 0·94 | 94·0 | 62·7 | 0·71 | 71·2 | 47·5 |
| Protein Foods¶ (oz) | 3·00 | 4·00 | 1·27 | 42·2 | 31·6 | 1·00 | 33·2 | 24·9 |
| Dairy** (c) | 2·50 | 2·50 | 1·76 | 70·5 | 70·5 | 1·16 | 35·1 | 35·1 |
| Oils†† (kcal) | 153 | 153 | 39·05 | 25·5 | 25·5 | 22·83 | 14·9 | 14·9 |
| SoFAS‡‡ (kcal) | 121 | 121 | 203·43 | 168·1 | 168·1 | 149·04 | 123·2 | 123·2 |
USDA, US Department of Agriculture.
1 kcal=4·184 kJ. 1 cup (c) is equivalent to 0·2366 litres; 1 ounce (oz) is equivalent to 29·5735 ml.
Food Groups from the MyPyramid Equivalents Database version 2( 20 ).
Food Patterns from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010( 10 ).
Mean amounts of energy and nutrients from foods and beverages provided to children were estimated from 211 centre visits; mean amounts of energy and nutrients from foods and beverages consumed by children were estimated from 630 observed children.
Two USDA Food Patterns (1200 and 1400 kcal (5021 and 5858 kJ)) were selected for comparison because they are appropriate for 3- and 4-year-old children who are active for at least 30–60 min daily( 10 ).
Whole grains includes all whole grain products that are both 100 % and <100 % whole grain and whole grains that are used as ingredients.
In the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010( 10 ), the recommended amounts for vegetables and protein foods subgroups are given as weekly amounts; the recommended amounts are converted to daily amounts in the current table. Protein foods include lean meat from beef, pork, veal, lamb, game, organ meats, frankfurters, sausages and luncheon meat; poultry; and fish and shellfish, soya, nuts and eggs.
Dairy foods include milk, yoghurt, frozen yoghurt, dairy desserts and cheeses.
Oils include vegetable, nut and fish oils and soft vegetable oil table spreads.
SoFAS are calories from solid fats and added sugars. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010( 10 ), the limit for SoFAS is the remaining amount of calories in each food pattern after selecting the specified amounts in each food group in nutrient-dense forms (forms that are fat-free or low-fat and with no added sugars).