Infants

0–3, 4–7, 8–11 mo

0–5, 6–11 mo

Children

Patterns for 3 age groups spanning 1 to 12 years, older children “may be served larger portions”

Patterns for 4 age groups spanning 1 to 19 years

Eating Occasion

All

Must meet daily pattern

Must meet daily and weekly pattern to provide more flexibility and better alignment with the Dietary Guidelines

Breakfast

3 meal components

4 or 5 meal components

Lunch or supper

4 meal components

5 meal components

Snack

Any 2 of 4 components

Variety specified for the week Choice between 2 small snacks or 1 enhanced snack

Meal Component

Fruit

Fruits and vegetables are combined as a category

Fruits are a separate category, and servings are increased; juice is not provided for infants and is limited for children; fruits containing added sugars are limited.

Vegetable

Vegetables are a separate category from fruit, and servings are increased; must provide variety including dark green leafy, bright yellow/orange, legumes; sodium content is limited; starchy vegetables are limited.

Grain/bread

Enriched or whole grain, proportions not specified

At least half must be whole grain-rich, additional whole grains are encouraged, grain products high in SoFAS are limited to control calories and saturated fat, high-sodium grains are also limited.

Meat/meat alternate

None at breakfast

Included in weekly breakfast pattern three times a week to provide balance to meal but flexibility through the week; some types are limited to help control calories, solid fat, and sodium.