Q I've been wondering about portion size when we serve snack. Sometimes children ask for larger portions or want seconds. Can you give some advice about portion sizes?

As a general rule, kids need six to 11 one-ounce servings per day of grains. That's half a small bagel, a slice of whole-grain bread, an ounce of cold cereal, or a half-cup of pasta. They also need one to two cups of fruit per day. A portion size of vegetables is also about a cup, and kids need two to three per day. Daily protein requirements are two three- to four-ounce servings. Finally, children need two to three daily servings of dairy. A serving could be a cup of milk, yogurt, or cottage cheese, or an ounce of hard cheese, about the size of your thumb.

Great Resource: Small Steps to Fitness

At Smallstep Kids, a Web site created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( www.smallstep.gov ), children can learn interesting exercise and nutrition facts, test their knowledge with quizzes and interactive games, and explore links to other sites.