New Dietary Guidelines Omit Fruit and Vegetable Servings for Kids

While the previous federal dietary guidelines outlined specific recommendations for the amount of fruits and vegetables that both children and adults should consume, the new guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are less precise. Nutrition experts have noted that this lack of specificity may hinder parents who seek clear guidance on how much produce to offer their children.

Currently, nearly half of children under the age of five do not eat fruits or vegetables daily, as reported by a 2024 study. Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is crucial for “healthy growth and brain development.” Promoting these foods at a young age can significantly affect children’s long-term eating habits and overall health, according to the CDC.

“Fruits and vegetables are essential not only for brain development but also for immune function, growth, and overall health,” stated Stephanie Hanne, a clinical dietitian at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in an interview with HuffPost.

“Insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables is particularly concerning for children and adolescents, who require these nutrients for proper growth and cognitive development, as well as for learning and memory formation,” she added.

This article outlines how insufficient fruit and vegetable intake may impact children’s brain health, recommends daily servings, and suggests strategies to encourage healthier eating habits.

The new dietary recommendations suggest that children aged 5 to 10 should prioritize whole, nutrient-dense options, including protein sources, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains. For those under 5, guidelines advocate for fruits, vegetables, full-fat dairy products, and legumes, while adolescents aged 11 to 18 should focus on leafy greens, dairy, and “iron-rich animal foods.”

“These recommendations are excellent and ideal for children and the general population,” said Hanne. “However, the new guidelines lack the specifics that former MyPlate guidelines provided, leaving families without a reliable, science-based source for determining what and how much to feed their children.”

The earlier MyPlate guidelines released in 2011 recommended that half of a plate at each meal be filled with fruits and vegetables.

These new recommendations may not resonate well with families who prefer clear, concrete guidelines,” Jennifer Nasser, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for The Obesity Society, remarked. Conversely, others who prefer not to feel lectured might appreciate this flexibility, she noted.

Another viewpoint, shared by John E. Lewis, a nutrition scientist and founder of Dr Lewis Nutrition, is that the new guidelines may place too much emphasis on meat and full-fat dairy while underrepresenting fruits and vegetables.

According to Hanne, children ages 5 to 10 should aim to consume 1 to 2 cups of fruits and vegetables each day.

One cup of fruit equals one average-sized piece of fruit, a cup of chopped fruit, a half cup of dried fruit, or a cup of 100% fruit juice; however, whole fruit is preferred over dried options or juice, she noted.

For vegetables, a cup can be represented by one average-sized whole veggie, a cup of cut vegetables, two cups of raw leafy greens, or a cup of 100% vegetable juice; again, whole vegetables are favored over juice, Hanne explained.

Fruits and vegetables are rich in essential nutrients, including antioxidants, B vitamins, vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and iron, all of which play a vital role in supporting healthy brain development in children, as highlighted by Harvard Medical School.

“These nutrients contribute to improved mood, memory, immune response, and overall cognitive function,” Hanne noted. “When children have inadequate or poor consumption of fruits—especially berries—and vegetables, particularly alongside higher intake of processed and fast foods, there is a significant association with diminished cognitive function and academic performance.”

Specifically, Nasser states that certain B vitamins found in green vegetables can significantly “directly affect neuron functions, thus influencing cognitive abilities.”

While fruits and vegetables are vital for children’s brain and overall health, Nasser added that omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, play an equally important role. Other essential nutrients, such as protein, zinc, vitamin D, and choline, are present in foods like meat, poultry, fish, and dairy, as noted by Harvard.

Overall, increasing the intake of plant-based foods during childhood, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, may help prevent heart disease and various other health conditions later in life, Nasser emphasized.

The CDC recommends introducing children to healthy foods early, including fruits and vegetables, to foster lifelong healthy eating habits.

“Expose kids to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables from a young age,” Lewis advised, noting that such exposure can have a positive impact on their taste preferences.

When children’s consumption of fruits and vegetables is limited, they often resort to less nutritious options like ultra-processed snacks (such as chips and cookies), high-sugar beverages (like sodas), and fast food, warned Hanne.

Encouraging children to eat more fruits and vegetables can be a challenge, but research indicates that merely introducing these foods can lead to higher consumption.

A 2021 study published in Current Developments in Nutrition discovered that increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables served with side dishes by 50% led to a 24% boost in vegetable intake and a 33% increase in fruit consumption. Moreover, substituting half of other foods with fruits and vegetables resulted in a 41% rise in vegetable consumption and a 38% rise in fruit intake among children.

Here are some practical tips to enhance children’s exposure to fruits and vegetables:

• Make it fun. Get creative by arranging fruits and vegetables into fun shapes or designs, like banana-and-berry smiley faces. Cut them into star or heart shapes to make them more appealing.

• Pair with familiar flavors. If your child enjoys sour tastes, add a squeeze of lemon to vegetables.

• Involve them in cooking. Invite your kids to help prepare vegetable dishes, engaging them in the cooking process fosters connection and interest.

• Highlight the sweetness. Blending fruits and veggies into smoothies can make healthy foods feel like a treat. Pureeing vegetables or cooking them in ways that enhance their natural sweetness can also improve their appeal.

• Utilize media. Encourage reading books or watching shows where characters enjoy fruits and vegetables.

• Serve the same meals. Offer children the same dishes you enjoy to expand their exposure to a variety of foods, even if they hesitate to try them initially. Interaction with the food—like touching or smelling—can be a positive step forward.

Model healthy eating behaviors as adults—parents, older siblings, or peers—by showing enjoyment in consuming fruits and vegetables. This can inspire children to try these foods themselves.