Whether you are looking to diversify your child’s palate or embrace your Mexican roots, here’s an easy meal plan for a 5-year-old.
Pass on Abuelita’s traditional flavors yet keep the convenience of a modern-day mealtime. Add a little spice to your life while exploring Mexican culture with these nutritious and delicious dishes.
Get cozy on a chilly night or soothe a case of the sniffles with a Fideo soup. While the spicy salsa is optional, you may be surprised how many kids enjoy the flavor boost from spices and herbs!
The recipes below are for one child based on 5-year-old portion sizes from MyPlate. These are just guidelines, so don’t worry if your child eats more or less than these recommendations.
Also, remember that appetites vary from day-to-day! Don’t forget; you can double or quadruple the recipe as needed for siblings or for the whole family to enjoy.
Meal Plan for a 5 Year Old
- Breakfast – Nopales and Eggs
- Snack – Nutty Bananas
- Lunch – Fideo Soup
- Snack – Jicama Sticks and Guacamole
- Dinner – Caldo de Pollo (Chicken Soup) and Mexican Rice
- Dessert/Snack – Honey Papaya Yogurt Parfait
Breakfast – Nopales and Eggs
MyPlate Food Group Portions Provided:
Vegetable: 2 servings
Fruit: 0.5 serving
Protein:1 serving
Whole Grain: 2 serving
Dairy: 1 serving
Where to find Nopales
Most ethnic stores and some retail stores carry nopales. Nopales get sold in a variety of ways, either fresh and pickled. Traditionally, most Mexican families buy fresh nopales or often grow it in their garden.
Nopales can be found either whole with the thorns, whole de-thorned, or de-thorned and cut up ready-to-use. For convenience, the latter option is recommended.
Benefits of Nopales
These prickly cacti have tons of hearty fiber and powerful phytochemicals. Nopales contain anti-inflammatory properties that are especially healthful for diabetes, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, cancer. (3) Make this breakfast for mom and dad too and say “nope” to a processed breakfast with nop-ales!
Budget tip: Buy frozen strawberries to save money and blend with milk for a tasty side shake.
Snack – Nutty Bananas
MyPlate Food Group Portions Provided
Fruit: 1 serving
Protein: 1 serving
Dairy: 1/2 serving
Lunch – Fideo Soup
MyPlate Food Group Portions Provided
Grains: 1 serving
Vegetables: 2 servings
Fat: 1 serving
Nutrition Tip for Soups
Give your soup a hearty, whole-grain boost. Swap out traditional fideo for healthier alternatives such as wheat, spelt, or quinoa spaghetti. These heart-healthy fiber-filled grains provide key nutrients for the entire household.
For instance, a diet rich in whole-grains can lower one’s risk for heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. (2) Children between the ages of 1 and 5 currently consume 50% of the recommended intake for fiber. (1) Give your child a boost of wholesome nutrition with high fiber foods, while keeping the flavors they love with a heart-healthy fideo soup!
Budget Tip: Use frozen or canned corn and green beans for this recipe. If going with canned veggies, look for no salt added options! If you don’t have corn or green beans in substitute what you have available.
Snack – Jicama and Guacamole
What is jicama (pronounced hik-uh-muh)? Jicama is known as the Mexican potato. It tastes like a cross between a cucumber and Asian pear. Talk about the best of both worlds! This versatile and crunchy food will become an instant crowd favorite. Try it julienne style, with a splash of orange juice and lots of chopped cilantro. For a more traditional approach, serve it with spice and lime juice.
MyPlate Food Group Portions Provided
Vegetable: 0.5 servings
Fat: 3 servings
Want to know more about Jicama? Try this tasty jicama slaw.
Dinner – Caldo de Pollo (Chicken Soup) and Mexican Rice
MyPlate Food Group Portions Provided
Vegetable: 1.75 servings
Protein: 2 servings
Grain: 1.5 serving
Dessert/Snack – Honey Papaya Yogurt Parfait
MyPlate Food Group Portions Provided
Fruit: 1/2 serving
Dairy: 1/2 serving
Grain: 1 serving
Food Group Portions Provided in Entire Meal Plan for 5-Year-Old Above
| Food Group | Number of Servings |
| Vegetables | 6 servings |
| Fruits | 2 servings |
| Grains | 5 servings |
| Protein | 4 servings |
| Dairy | 2 servings |
| Fat | 4 servings |
MyPlate Daily Recommendations for a 5-year-old
| Age (4-8) | Vegetables | Fruits | Grains | Protein | Dairy | Oils |
| 1.5 cups | 1-1.5 cups | 5 oz. | 4 oz. | 2.5 cups | 4 tsp. | |
| Servings | 1.5 servings | 1.5 servings | 5 servings | 4 servings | 2.5 servings | 4 servings |
Creating healthy dishes doesn’t have to sacrifice tradition. Pass on your favorite childhood meals and flavors, but with a healthful twist. If you are new to Mexican flavors, use these nutritious and delicious tastes to diversify your child’s palate.
The more flavors they experience, the more adventurous eaters they will become! Introducing your children to different cuisines is also an interactive way to teach them about different cultures. It’s time to get cooking!
Are you feeling inspired to try another cultural recipe? Try this Asian dish!
