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.