What are the factors to consider when planning meals for a family?

Answer 1

A factor to consider in planning meals for the family is the nutritional value that the food has for each individual's need. Also the food budget or how much you are able to spend and the shopping skills in order to purchase the things you need for a family meal.

Answer 2

Budget - what can you afford to prepare

Nutrition requirements (in Australia they recommend 5 veg + 2 fruit servings a day so are these being met? 4 servings of fish a week is another recommendation) as in healthy food that won't contribute to high cholesterol (caused by saturated fat like that in meat) or weight gain (fat, sugar, over sized servings)

Fussy Eaters - what will everyone eat?

Answer 3

School-going children need to eat three meals and at least one snack per day. Breakfast is an important meal because it helps mind stay alert until lunchtime. School-going children can often buy lunch at school, but these meals may be high in fat and most children will end up eating dessert. Encourage them to pack a healthy lunch a few times a week. After school, children are hungry so give them a healthy snack, such as fruits or cut-up vegetables. Serve low-fat milk or water with the snack, which they can while thy do their homework.

Good nutrition is essential for school-going children. They need enough fuel to get them through the day and for their minds to thrive and brains to develop, so give them a healthy breakfast, and if they are taking a lunch box to school, ensure that it contains a mix of nutritious foods from the five food groups.

We should limit the junk food intake of school-going children. Junk food such as French fries, cookies, and chips are extremely tempting to children. These are high in sugar, fat, salt, and in empty calories. Sodas and fruit drinks contain some foods that are high in sugar. Your child's diet can contain some foods that are high in sugar and fat as long as the total diet is well-balanced and all food groups are consumed in the appropriate number of servings.

Healthy snacking is important for school-going children because they usually do not eat enough at mealtime to sustain their blood-sugar levels between meals. Snacks prevent children from getting so hungry that they cannot focus on school or other activities and offers and opportunity, along with meals, for children to get enough calories and nutrients for normal growth and development. They can contribute a significant amount of important nutrients, so snacks should be as healthy as possible. If a child does not eat fruits or vegetables at mealtimes, these foods make excellent snacks.

Unfortunately, many children like to snack on sweets, chips, cookies, doughnuts, and other food low in nutritional value, but high in calories. The calories in such snacks are known as empty calories. Such snacks can cause unhealthy weight gain as your child grows.