Specific recommendations tailored to the needs of children ages 4–11

Childhood is a period of intense growth and learning. It is a time when habits and reference points are established that will remain into adulthood. Diet is no exception—quite the contrary!

Based on the work of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) and the High Council for Public Health, Santé publique France is publishing new recommendations on diet and physical activity for children aged 4–11. The goal: to ensure that as many people as possible adopt these recommendations by providing educational guidance and practical tools.

Summary of the main recommendations

Nutritional recommendations for children are the same as those for adults, with the exception of a few specific guidelines for this age group:

• To gradually reach at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day by adulthood, it is recommended to get children into the habit of eating fruits and vegetables at every meal—whether fresh, frozen, or canned; raw or cooked; plain or prepared.

• Three dairy products per day during childhood and adolescence are recommended for their calcium content. Two dairy products per day are sufficient for adults. Remember that children under 5 should not consume raw milk or raw-milk cheeses (except Emmental or Comté) due to the risk of infection.

• Fruit juices contain sugars and are low in fiber: they do not count as a daily serving of fruits and vegetables. If parents give them, no more than 1/2 glass per day before age 11—a maximum of one glass after age 11—and if possible, opt for freshly squeezed fruit.

• For daily snacks, limit pastries or other sugary and fatty foods and offer bread with a few squares of chocolate or a little butter or jam, fresh fruit or fruit compote, or a dairy product. If parents give cookies, avoid especially those with a Nutri-Score of E.

Recommended portion sizes for children differ from those for adults and change with age. Between ages 4 and 6, on average, the recommended portion is half that of an adult (for example, half a steak for a child aged 4–6 vs. a full steak for an adult; 1 egg for a child aged 4–6 vs. 2 eggs for an adult). Portion sizes increase gradually starting at age 7, reaching adult levels by age 11.

From an educational standpoint, it is recommended to encourage parent-child interactions as much as possible by eating together at the table, avoiding screens during meals, and cooking together.

As has been the case since birth, it is important to trust the child’s appetite and never force them to eat.

Free educational tools to help spread these recommendations

To raise awareness of these best practices and help parents nurture their children’s tastes and enjoyment of eating, Santé publique France has developed various educational tools and resources. These are aimed at parents and various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, parent organizations, city halls, and others:

• A guide listing all dietary recommendations for children aged 4 to 11, with tips and practical advice for easily applying them in daily life. This guide also includes recommendations regarding physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior for children in this age group. It is available for order on the Santé publique France website and via an informational letter sent to all interested organizations, which can then distribute it to parents.

• 3 educational videos available on mangerbouger.fr and on the Santé publique France YouTube channel:

  • Portion sizes for children ages 4 to 11

  • How to help children listen to their appetite?

  • How to get your child to eat more fruits and vegetables?

• Cooking Together: 10 recipes to make with children on mangerbouger.fr

Find all the content available to parents here.