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Assessing Adequacy of a Child’s Diet with a Recorded Food Intake 49
A professional trained in assessing dietary Food group Recommended number
intake (e.g. a dietitian) can use this information to 1. Bread, rice, of daily age-appropriate
assess the nutritional adequacy by one of two potatoes, pasta and servings
methods: other starchy foods Included at each meal – and
2. Fruit and some snacks
●● assessment against the principles of healthy vegetables
eating using the number of daily servings and 3. Milk, cheese and Included at each meal – and
portion sizes of the five food groups yogurt some snacks
4. Meat, fish, eggs, 3 servings per day
●● computer software to compare the dietary nuts and beans
intake of energy and each nutrient against 5. Foods high in fat 2–3 servings per day
the RNIs for each nutrient and EAR for and foods high in
energy. sugar Very small amounts with
meals
Assessing nutritional Drinks Sweet foods limited to
adequacy using the five 4 times per day
food groups Vitamin 6–8 per day or 1 with each
supplements meal and snack
This assessment method is simple and older Vitamins A and D daily for
children and parents can be taught to do it those under five years of age
themselves. If the number of servings from the
five food groups (as described in Table 1.2.1, A chart such as in Figure 2.2.2 can be used for the
pages 14–15) is followed then the child can be assessment of foods from a record of a 24-hour
assumed to be consuming an adequate intake of intake. All the food and drinks consumed over a
nutrients. 24-hour period are listed in the left-hand column.
A mark is made in the food group columns when a
Date: Name : Fruit & veg Food groups Meat, fish, Foods high in Fluid
All food and drinks Bread, rice, Milk, eggs, nuts, fat &/or sugar Drinks
potato, pasta, cheese, pulses
other starchy yogurt
food
TOTALS : 3–5 5 3 2–3 Some high-fat 6–8 cups
RECOMMENDED : At each meal At each foods
meal and
and some some snacks
snacks
Figure 2.2.2 Food chart for 24-hour intake