Daily dietary guidelines for children 12-13 years

A range of suitable foods and serving sizes

Teenagers need a wide variety of healthy foods from the five food groups. How much food teenagers need depends on body size and activity levels.

A range of suitable foods and serving sizes

Teenagers aged 12-13 years should aim for 2 serves of fruit; 5-5½ serves of vegies; 3½ serves of dairy; 5-6 serves of grains; and 2½ serves of lean meats, nuts and legumes.

A range of suitable foods and serving sizes

Teens need lots of water – the cheapest, healthiest and most thirst-quenching drink. They need more water on hot or humid days and if they sweat a lot. Avoid soft drinks, fruit juices, flavoured milk and water, sports drinks, energy drinks, tea and coffee. Children under 18 shouldn’t drink alcohol.

Food groups: daily serves of fruit, vegetables, cereals and grains

Fruit, vegetable and cereals serving examples

Fruit: 1 serve = 1 medium apple, banana, orange or pear; or 2 small plums, kiwi fruits or apricots; or 1 cup diced or canned fruit (no added sugar). Offer 2 serves a day.

Fruit, vegetable and cereals serving examples

Vegetables: 1 serve = ½ a medium potato (or sweet potato or corn); or ½ cup cooked vegies (broccoli, spinach, carrots, pumpkin); or 1 cup green leafy or raw salad vegies; or ½ cup cooked, dried or canned beans, legumes or lentils. Offer 5-5½ serves a day.

Fruit, vegetable and cereals serving examples

Cereal and grains: 1 serve = 1 slice of bread; or ½ cup cooked rice, pasta, noodles, quinoa or polenta; or ½ cup porridge; or ⅔ cup wheat cereal flakes; or ¼ cup muesli; or 1 crumpet or small English muffin. Offer 5-6 serves a day. Wholegrain is best.

Food groups: daily serves of dairy, protein and healthy fats

Food groups: daily serves of dairy, protein and ‘sometimes’ foods

Dairy: 1 serve = 1 cup (250 ml) milk; or 1 cup dairy alternative like soy or rice milk with at least 100 mg of added calcium per 100 ml; or 2 slices cheese; or ¾ cup (200 gm) yoghurt; or ½ cup ricotta cheese. Choose mostly reduced-fat dairy. Offer 3½ serves a day

Food groups: daily serves of dairy, protein and ‘sometimes’ foods

Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, legumes: 1 serve = 65 gm cooked lean beef, lamb, veal or pork (weekly max. 455 gm); 80 gm cooked lean chicken or turkey; or 100 gm cooked fish fillet; or 170 gm cooked tofu; or 2 large eggs; or 1 cup cooked lentils, chickpeas or canned beans; or 30 gm (1½ tablespoons) peanuts, almonds or sunflower seeds. Offer 2½ serves a day.

Food groups: daily serves of dairy, protein and ‘sometimes’ foods

Healthy fats: you can include 1½ serves of unsaturated fat in cooking, baking, spreads or dressings. 1 serve = 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 gm) of olive, canola and rice bran oil or margarine; or 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 gm) of nut pastes and spreads; or 1 tablespoon (20 gm) of avocado.

Avoid ‘sometimes’ foods like cakes, biscuits, chips, lollies and fried and takeaway foods. These can be high in saturated fat, sugar and salt.

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