Planning balanced meals for preschool children

Planning balanced meals for preschool children An active preschool child’s energy needs rival those of some grown up women. So we need not track their calorie consumption. But given the velocity of growth and activity, if the child is denied of nutritious balanced meals, she/he may not achieve her/his full genetic potential for adult height. It may affect the health also. Children suffer from Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM), xerophthalmia (vitamin A deficiency) and anaemia if protein, vitamin A and iron respectively are lacking in their meals. Universal use of iodised salt is a simple and cheap method of preventing Iodine Deficiency Disorders. The diet of a preschool child should emphasise three aspects– – Variety in textures, tastes, smells and colours, to broaden a child’s nutritional intake and eating experience, – Balance of complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and essential fats, – Moderation while indulging in sweets, ice creams, fast foods rich in fats and refined flours. Now do you remember the five food groups you learnt in Chapter III in part I? The five food groups suggested by ICMR permit us to plan balanced meals according to our recommended dietary allowances. While planning daily diets foods must be chosen from all the food groups. In order to make planning more convenient, ICMR has suggested diets for different age groups. We could refer to Table below for the quantities of various food groups to be included in a balanced diet for preschool children. Table : Balanced Diet for Preschool Children (Recommended by ICMR), S.No. Food Groups Quantity (gm) – years – years . Cereals and Millets . Pulses . Milk (ml) . Fruits and vegetables Roots and tubers Green leafy vegetables Other vegetables Fruits . Sugar Fats/Oils (visible) Now we should be able to plan three meals and two snacks for a preschool child. You may be wondering why snacks. Because it is hard for the preschoolers to eat enough in three meals, healthy snacks in between meals provide the calories and nutrients they need. Besides snack time is a good time to introduce new foods. Snacks also go well in school tiffin. Let us look at a situation and analyse how we can plan snacks and meals for a preschooler. The parents of a six years old child can plan and prepare the following meals for a day– Breakfast: Wheat porridge cooked in milk/bread or roti , egg and seasonal fruit. School tiffin: Sandwich with vegetable filling and a healthy drink. Lunch: Vegetable/ paratha / roti , rice, curd, boiled channa and salad. Evening snack: Milk, biscuit/peanuts and fruit. Dinner: Chapati /rice, dal/chicken, cooked seasonal vegetable and salad. Now how do you rate the parent's attempt to plan and serve balanced meals to the child? Snacks served to the children in the different regions include items such as murukku, laddoos, upma, mathi, chana-chur which are traditional preparations and are nutritious. The high activity levels of children increases the energy needs and hence such snacks may be useful in providing enough calories to meet their needs.