The present invention provides a nutritional methodology for optimizing the nutritional needs of a child that includes suggested combinations of food products from a range of foods having an optimal nutrition profile for meeting the nutritional needs of a child wherein two or more food products from the range may be combined to provide an optimal nutrition profile for meeting the nutritional needs of a child. The present invention further provides a kit and a shelf-stable product that employ the nutritional method for optimizing the nutritional needs of a child.
