Therefore, to achieve a balance of nutrients a combination of different foods need to be included in the diet. The diet can be planned by including foods from the four food groups. Although all nutrients are important, the requirement for certain nutrients is proportionately higher in certain age groups. e.g.- Iron in an adolescent girl and a pregnant woman.
Therefore identifying rich sourcesof various nutrients within the same food group is required. e.g.- wholecereals and rice flakes are rich in iron among cereals, milk and fish have high calcium content among animal foods. . Food cost and economy The expenditure on food is an important part of a family’s budget and it is influenced by Family siz e The number of children Age group Activity and Special needs of pregnancy, lactation and disease condition.
The proportionate expenditure on food depends upon the income levels i.e. it increases with a decrease in total income. Moreover, in case of low-income level, a higher proportion is spent on buying staples rather than protective foods like milk, vegetables,and fruits. Therefore the aim should be to achieve Unit RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCE AND MEAL - - RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCES AND MEAL PLANNING maximum nutritional benefit at minimum cost.
For example, pulses can be used as a source of protein instead of animal foods or less expensive cuts of meat can be used. For achieving economy in meal planning, the following considerations are important. . K nowledge of prevailing prices of food items.
. Knowledge of proportion of edible portion of different food stuffs as they vary widely. It may be high as percent in foods likemilk or low as - percent in leafy vegetables. This helps to decide the quantity of food to be purchased.
. Buying foods from fair price shops and retail outlets. . Bulk purchase of non-perishables.
. Using seasonal foods as they are not only economical but also nutritious. . Minimizing nutrient losses during preparation and cooking.
. Making proper use of left over foods and the commonly discarded foods e.g. green