5-a-day - just how big is a child's portion size?!

[chelseamorning]

Does anyone please know whether a 5-a-day portion is the same size for both adults and children?

I've been trying to work out how big a child's portion size is, to ensure my DS is really getting his 5 a day. Some websites state that a portion is approx 80g. I'm assuming this is for adults only????

Thanks!

[norksinmywaistband]

don't know if this helps. I just try to make sure mine have had 5 types of fruit and veg a day and don't worry too much about portion size TBH

[norksinmywaistband]

sorry

[wotulookinat]

No, I don't think it is, but I don't know by how much they differ. Am I right in thinking that a portion size is about a handful? Well then a kiddie portion would be very small in comparison. I'm not sure where I heard that though...

[halogen]

I think a rough guideline is that a child's portion is the size of his or her fist. I have no idea where I heard this. I may even have made it up.

[Gingerbear]

Age 1-2 about half that of an 80g adult portion(40g)
Age 3-5 60g

Adult sized portion from age 6 onwards.

[misselizabethbennett]

Child's portion is smaller. TBH, as long as it's been eaten I'm not too bothered about the portion size. If one broccoli spear has been eaten, I'm happy to call that a portion!

[mistlethrush]

Whoops - ds has a good go at at least 5-a-day adult portion sizes and would eat more if allowed to. We always have to limit the cucumber/tomatoes with lunch otherwise he'd only eat salad and likewise for pudding. I think that he reckons that a portion of strawberries is about 1lb. or perhaps a few more and as for blackberry picking....

[wotulookinat]

Lucicle, we can't both have made it up - we must have heard it somewhere.

[chelseamorning]

I do the same, Norksinmywaistband. DS eats a lot of veg (I'm veggie) but it occurred to me the other day that he may not be getting his quota of vits. Forever paranoid!!

Thanks so much for the link. Interesting site. It states that the 80g portion (average size fruit or I guess a small handful of veg) applies from age 6 but:

'40g for a 1-2 year old and 60g for a 3-5 year old'.

Eg, a 40g portion is approximately equal to:

Broccoli and cauliflower
1 small floret

Carrot
1 small carrot

Red pepper
1 quarter

Peas, beans and sweetcorn
2 tablespoons

Tomato
4 cherry tomatoes or 1 medium sized one

Apples and pears
1 quarter
Dried apricots
3 whole dried fruit

Banana
1 third

Grapes
8 seedless grapes

Mango
3 thin slices

Most helpful. Thanks, Norksinmywaistband.

[chelseamorning]

Seems like you're both right, Lucicie and Wotulookinat. A good way to work out a portion, without getting too obsessed about it. (Obsessed? Moi?)

[Lauriefairycake]

child's stomache is about the size of their fist - portion is smaller

[McDreamy]

Have also heard a persons portion size is as big as their fist, applies to adults and children.

[chelseamorning]

Mistlethrush, you're lucky if you can get your DS to eat cucumber, tomatoes and salad. My DS skipped the finger food stage as he didn't like to touch the food directly. He went straight to eating cooked food using a fork and spoon and won't eat raw food.

Anyone else had this problem and managed to resolve it?!!

[chelseamorning]

p.s. Raw food = veg only. He eats raw fruit.