The foundation of every child’s diet should consist of milk, well-cooked cereals and bread, fruits and vegetables, eggs and simple, nutritious desserts and soups; other foods are not necessary and should either be omitted entirely or used only occasionally in relatively small amounts.
The problem of adapting the diet to suit the child’s age and digestive capacities thus resolves itself into only a few phases, namely:

1)    Increasing the quantity of some of the simple foods which formed the basis of the diet in earlier years, as the energy need grows.

2)    Changing the form in which these foods are given, as the digestive tract becomes less sensitive.

3)    Introducing new varieties of the same type of foods.

4)    Gradually introducing small amounts of some of the more difficult foods not allowable for young children.

The age at which certain alterations in the diet can and should be made will vary with different children, depending upon:

1)    General sturdiness and activity

2)    Rate of growth

3)    Condition and functioning of the alimentary tract.

Some children may be able to take certain foods earlier than others: delicate children or those with digestive abnormalities, on the other hand, will have to increase the scope and quantity of their food intake more slowly than robust children.

It is essential to make all changes in diet very gradually and go back to the simpler diet temporarily whenever it seems advisable to lighten the child’s digestive load. It should be emphasized that the simpler diets advised for younger children are adequate in respect to all of the necessary nutritive factors and so will do just as well for an older child if a larger quantity is eaten.

Diet from Two to Five Years

1)    A quart of milk

2)    Well-cooked cereals twice a day.

3)    Orange or tomato juice daily, with some child mild raw or cooked fruit, cooked vegetable at least once a day.

4)    Whole eggs at least three or four times per week; but cook them in such a was as to keep the white soft.

5)    Steamed or ground liver, fish and lean meat may be given occasionally, but meat should not figure prominently in the diet at this age.

Diet from Five to Eight Years

1)    Use mainly the same foods as in the third and fourth years but increase the quantity.

2)    Mild raw fruits, such as apples and mangoes.

3)    Stewed dried fruits, such as stewed prunes.

4)    Small amounts of raw vegetables; for the most part, vegetables should still be cooked. Avoid vegetables with strong flavor or harsh texture.

5)    Sweets should be limited but a wider range of desserts is allowable. Fats may be used a little more generously.

6)    Lean meat may be given several times a week.

Diet from Eight to Twelve Years

1)    Continue giving the same foods which formed the basis of the diet but increase the amount of these and widen the variety of foods taken.

2)    Raw fruits can be used more freely.

3)    Give some cooked green vegetables once a day and give raw vegetables regularly, such as lettuce, cabbage, and carrots but these should be cut finely.

4)    A serving of meat may be given regularly.

5)    Concentrated sweets should still be avoided, but jelly, dried fruits and nuts and a wide range of simple desserts may be used in moderate amounts.