Child 4-8 years

Aim

To provide a balanced diet with a variety of foods for children 4-8 years of age who are able to eat at an age appropriate level.

Characteristics

Diet contains adequate and varied nutrition for optimal growth and development in children aged 4-8 years from developmentally appropriate foods. A wide range of foods from all food groups is included. Meets the Nutrition Standards for Paediatric Patients.

A wide range of textures is provided.

Snacks contribute significantly to nutrient intake because of the wide variation in the amount of food eaten at different meal times.

Indications

Suitable for children 4-8 years of age. May be combined with other therapeutic diet orders for children who have special or high nutritional needs. This diet may be combined with thickened fluids/texture modifications.

Nutritional adequacy

Nutritionally adequate.

Age appropriate serve sizes for main meal portions and snacks are preferable, such as ½ adult serves and smaller yoghurt or dessert portions.

Refer to the Nutrition Standards for Paediatric Patients for serve size requirements for varying ages.

Precautions

At all ages children’s individual growth and development will result in a wide range of appetite.

For children with altered nutrition needs, additional therapeutic diet orders will affect textures and foods allowed and offered.

This is not a texture modified diet for children with dysphagia.

Specific menu planning guidelines

Food type	Allowed	Not allowed
Hot main dishes	All, ½ serve where possible	-
Sauces, gravies	All	-
Starchy vegetables/pasta/rice	All, ½ serve where possible	-
Vegetables	All, ½ serve where possible	-
Soups	All, if hot fluids permitted by facility	All, if not permitted by facility
Sandwiches	All	-
Salads, dressings	All	-
Breads, cereals	All	-
Spreads	All, including jam, honey, vegemite and peanut butter	-
Hot breakfast choices	All	-
Fruit	All	-
Yoghurt	All	-
Desserts	All	-
Milk and cheese	All
Drinks	All others	Hot drinks, e.g. tea, coffee
Biscuits	All	-
Miscellaneous	-	Alcohol

References

1. Agency for Clinical Innovation. Nutrition Standards. Sydney: ACI; 2024 [cited 7 Jul 2025].
2. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Dietary Guidelines. Canberra; NHMRC; 2013 [cited 14 Jul 2025].

Change log

Change date	Section updated	Change
July 2025	Characteristics	Updated reduced fat dairy is recommended
	Precautions	Updated
	Soups	Updated to be local policy
	Yoghurts, milks and cheese	Updated to remove preference for reduced fat
	Drinks	Updated to exclude hot drinks
	References	Updated