Final answer:
A 4-year-old should consume at least 2.5 servings of whole grains out of the recommended 5 servings of grains per day. Whole grains are better than refined grains because they contain more nutrients. Good sources of whole grains include whole wheat bread, brown rice, and oats.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whole Grain Recommendations for Children If a 4-year-old is recommended to have 5 servings of grains daily, then at least half of these should be 100% whole grains. Hence, at least 2.5 servings should come from whole grains such as 100% whole wheat bread, brown rice, and whole grain oats. Whole grains are beneficial because they retain the nutritional value of the entire seed, whereas refined grains have been processed to remove the bran and germ, leading to a loss in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Five good sources of whole grains include:Whole wheat breadBrown riceWhole grain oatQuinoaBarleyAccording to the MyPlate guidelines, which recommend making half your grains whole, other foods should accompany grains like vegetables, fruits, proteins, and dairy. Thus, a balanced meal may include foods like kale, an apple, a turkey sandwich with whole wheat bread, and a glass of milk.The recommendation for a 4-year-old to have 5 grains means that they should consume a total of 5 servings of grains per day. Half of these servings should be 100% whole grains. This means that the child should have 2.5 servings of 100% whole grains per day.