MENU PLANNING
Meal planning involves choosing a menu or a list of foods that will be included in a meal.
Table of Contents
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE MEAL PLANNING
- Age of family members
- Occupation or activities of family members
- Health condition of family members
- Size of the family
- Likes and dislikes of the family members
- Season of the year
- Money available
- Equipment or facilities available
- Time available
- Locality or place where family resides
GUIDELINES FOR MEAL PLANNING
- The meal must contain all the necessary food nutrients. Each of the basic food groups must be represented
- When possible, choose foods that contain a variety of nutrients
- Provide for the nutritional needs of all family members in the meal plan
- Avoid monotony by varying foods
- Buy the best foods your money can afford
- Plan meals several days ahead of time so as to save money and time
- Make use of foods in season and buy good quality foods
PROCEDURES FOR MEAL PLANNING
- Plan all the day’s menu (breakfast, lunch and supper) at the same time, at least 24 hours ahead of time
- Select the main course or dish. The main dish is also called ENTREE
- Make breakfast light but substantial
- Include the following in a breakfast menu
- Appetizer such as fruit or fruit juice
- Protein such as egg, fish or any source of protein
- Carbohydrates e. g. cereal dish as corn flakes, quaker oat, boiled yam or potatoes etc.
- Plan lunch and supper as the main meals of the day
- Make dishes for supper lighter than those for lunch, since people normally go to sleep after supper
- Include the following in a lunch and supper menus:
Menus
- Appetizer: such as any drinking soup, if desired e. g. pepper soup
- Main course/ dish: e. g. meat/ fish, melon and pounded yam/ gari/ semovita/ foofoo
- Desert: e. g. pawpaw rings
Assignment
Explain the nutritional needs of a lactating mother
See also
HEALTHY FEEDING AND EATING PRACTICES
Thanks, you are the best
You are well done Vicky