• to use the food pyramid and healthy eating guidelines to plan balanced diets
• to describe the nutritional needs and dietary requirements of each age group
• to plan balanced menus for all age groups
Key Words 3Weaning 3Sedentary 3Manual 3Convalescent 3Invalid
A well-balanced diet contains all the nutrients in the correct proportions for each individual. This is achieved by eating a wide variety of foods, chosen from all the bottom five food groups in the food pyramid. Dietary requirements depend on the life stage of the individual.
Classroom-Based Assessment
Remember food groups when choosing menus for CBA2 and the Practical Food Skills examination.
Babies
1. Babies should be breastfed if possible for the first few months of life because:
• It helps the mother and baby bond. • The milk is always at the correct temperature. • Breast milk is properly balanced, as it has all the nutrients in the correct proportions to suit a baby’s needs.
• There is less chance of the baby becoming overweight, as breast milk contains less fat than formula milk.
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Don’t Forget! We should aim to include three out of the four main food groups in each meal for all individuals.