Vegetables every day, fish twice a week: The State Food and Consumer Service explained the nutritional standards for schoolchildren

The State Food and Consumer Protection Service of Ukraine has clarified which foods and how often should be included in the menu of schoolchildren during a 5-day stay at school. The norms include daily vegetables and fruits, fish twice, legumes at least 3 times a week, as well as different portion sizes depending on the child’s age.

This was reported by the State Food and Consumer Protection Service .

The school menu is formed not as a list of individual dishes, but in accordance with the established norms of consumption of the main groups of products. For institutions of general secondary education with a 5-day stay, the relevant requirements are determined by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 305.

Vegetables should be included in the diet every day. During a 5-day stay, a total of 15 servings of vegetables per week are provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For children 6–11 years old, a serving is 100 g, for schoolchildren 11–14 and 14–18 years old – 120 g.

Fruits and berries should be on the daily menu. 10 servings of 100 g per week are provided, regardless of age group. Juice can be served 2 times a week – 200 ml, without added sugars and sweeteners.

Cereals, grains and legumes should be alternated with potato dishes. Legumes should be offered at least 3 times a week, and a total of 15 servings of cereals, grains and legumes are provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner during a 5-day stay.

Potatoes should not be the main side dish every day. It is recommended to alternate them: 1 dish of potatoes for 4–5 dishes of cereals, grains or legumes.

Fish should be on the menu 2 times a week. The size of the portion depends on age:

• 60 g – for children 6–11 years old;
• 90 g – for children 11–14 years old;
• 120 g – for children 14–18 years old.

Poultry is allowed 6 times a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner during a 5-day stay. Pork, veal or beef should be served 3 times a week for lunch, using lean cuts of meat.

Eggs are provided 3 times a week. For children of all three age groups, 1 serving is 1 egg, which should be cooked until fully cooked.

The calorie content of lunch should be 30–35% of the child’s daily energy needs. The approximate energy value of lunch is:

• 630–735 kcal – for children 6–11 years old;
• 720–840 kcal – for children 11–14 years old;
• 810–945 kcal – for children 14–18 years old.

There are also restrictions on sugar. In products used to prepare ready meals, its content must not exceed 10 g per 100 g or ml of the product. The amount of added sugars in ready meals must not exceed 5 g per 100 g or ml.

The State Food and Consumer Protection Service emphasizes that the compliance of the menu with the standards should be assessed not by one dish, but by the entire weekly cycle. It is important to consider what products children receive, how often they rotate, and whether they meet the established standards.

Different meal plans have different requirements, so the figures for a 5-day stay cannot be mechanically transferred to other meal plans.

Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , X , Telegram , and Instagram .