Family meal portions

Scale a recipe for the people in your household, from toddlers to teenagers, so there is enough without lots of leftovers.

Your details

4 people at the table

3.8

adult sized portions, so make 0.96 times the recipe

Women (1)0.9 of an adult portion each
Men (1)1.1 of an adult portion each
Children aged 4 to 10 (1)0.7 of an adult portion each
Teenagers aged 11 to 18 (1)1.1 of an adult portion each
Recipe as writtenserves 4
Multiply the ingredients by0.96

Portions are scaled by the average energy needs SACN sets for each age, against an adult average of 2,250 kcal a day. They are a cooking guide for the pan, not a target for anyone's plate: children's appetites vary from day to day, so let them decide how much they eat from what you serve. Toddlers do best with smaller meals plus a couple of healthy snacks.

If you are worried about a child's eating or growth, your health visitor, school nurse or GP can help. Healthy Start can help with the cost of fruit, vegetables and milk for some families.

The working

2 adults, a 7 year old and a teenager

Using SACN energy needs, a woman eats about 0.9 of an average adult portion, a man 1.1, a child of 4 to 10 about 0.7 and a teenager about 1.1. Together that is 3.8 adult portions, so a recipe that serves 4 needs 0.96 times the ingredients: cook it as written.

Portion sizes by age

Against an adult average of 2,250 kcal

Who	Share of an adult portion
Child 1 to 3	about 0.4
Child 4 to 10	about 0.7
Teenager 11 to 18	about 1.1
Woman	about 0.9
Man	about 1.1

Serving it

Let appetite lead

Serve smaller portions and offer seconds
Let children decide how much to eat from what you put out
Half the plate fruit and veg is a good rule for everyone
Freeze leftovers in single portions for busy nights

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

Set what a child should eatChildren's appetites go up and down with growth and activity, and that is normal.
Know your recipeIt scales ingredients; cooking times may change for bigger batches.
Plan special dietsAllergies or medical diets need a dietitian's advice.

Questions

Common questions

How much should a 7 year old eat compared with an adult?

On average, children of 4 to 10 need about two thirds to three quarters of the energy of an average adult, so a smaller portion with seconds available works well.

Do teenagers really eat as much as adults?

Often more. SACN's average needs for teenage boys are higher than for most adults, especially if they are active.

Should I make my child finish their plate?

No. Let them stop when they are full; it helps them learn their own hunger cues.

How do I scale a recipe that serves 6?

Enter 6 as the number it serves and the tool gives the multiplier for your household.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Help with eating and growth

If you are worried about a child's eating, growth or weight, talk to your health visitor, school nurse or GP rather than changing portions yourself. Healthy Start can help some families with the cost of fruit, vegetables and milk.