Chapter 2: Meal Planning

Question 1

Factors to consider in Meal Planning.

Answer 1

1. Age
2. Gender
3. Level of physical activity
4. Health status
5. Religious and cultural influences
6. Individual preferences
7. Availability of resources

Question 2

What is Diabetes?

Answer 2

Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to break down the GLUCOSE in the body readily. Hence, there is a high amount of sugar in the blood.

Question 3

What are the dietary recommendation for diabetes?

Answer 3

1. Decrease SUGAR intake. (To prevent rising blood glucose level)
2. Eat food high in fibre content.
3. Cut down on high-sugar food and drinks.
4. Consume fruit with edible skins such as apples, guavas band strawberries as well as vegetables.

Question 4

What is coronary heart disease?

Answer 4

People with coronary heart disease are at a higher risk of having a HEART ATTACK. The fatty deposits in the arteries make it difficult for blood to flow to the heart.

Question 5

What are the dietary recommendation for coronary heart disease?

Answer 5

1. Decrease saturated fat intake. (To prevent the wall of the arteries from being blocked by fatty deposits)
2. Eat plant food such as legumes and seeds.
3. Remove skin and visible fat from meat.
4. Use vegetable oils such as canola, olive or peanut oil instead of animal fats such as ghee or butter in cooking.

Question 6

What is Hypertension?

Answer 6

Hypertension is also known as HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. It causes the heart to work harder to pump blood to all parts of the body, This can damage the heart and cause other health problems such as coronary heart disease, kidney problems and stroke.

Question 7

What are the dietary recommendation for hypertension?

Answer 7

1. Reduce the amount of salt and seasoning used in cooking. (To prevent blood from thickening in order to have good blood circulation)
2. Reduce the intake of preserved food such as sausages, ham, salted vegetables and salted eggs.
3. Eat less chili, barbecue and tomato sauces.

Question 8

What are the dietary recommendations for pregnant women?

Answer 8

Eat food rich in CARBOHYDRATES, PROTEINS, CALCIUM, FOLIC ACID (Vitamin B9), IRON and high in DIETARY FIBRE.

Question 9

Why is folic acid important for pregnant women?

Answer 9

To prevent any birth defect in the baby. Insufficient intake of folic acid is SPINA BIFIDA. It is a condition when the spine of the baby is not closed because it is not fully formed.

Question 10

What are the three different types of vegetarian?

Answer 10

1. Vegans
   Strictly no meat, seafood and animal products
2. Lacto-vegetarians
   No meat, seafood and eggs. Consume dairy products.
3. Lacto-ovo-vegetarian
   No meat and seafood. Consume eggs and dairy products.

Question 11

What are the dietary recommendations for people with obesity?

Answer 11

1. Remove skin and visible fat from meat
2. Eat less deep-fried food
3. Replace milk high in fat content with low-fat milk

Question 12

What are the dietary recommendation for people with certain religious ?

Answer 12

Muslims do not eat pork while Hindus and Buddhists do not eat beef.

Question 13

What are the factors to consider when planning meals for young children?

Answer 13

1. Food rich in carbohydrates, proteins, calcium and Vitamin D.
2. Drink plain water instead of carbonated drinks.
3. Serve minced, mashed or blended food.

Question 14

What are the factors to consider when planning meals for school-going children?

Answer 14

1. Food rich in carbohydrates, proteins, calcium, vitamin D, fruit and vegetables.
2. Limit food high in sugar and fat content
3. Serve food with different textures to create interest.

Question 15

What are the factors to consider when planning meals for teenagers?

Answer 15

1. Food rich in carbohydrates, proteins, calcium, vitamin D, fruit and vegetables.
2. Limit processed food and deep-fried food
3. Serve food in interesting and creative ways

Question 16

What are the factors to consider when planning meals for the elderly?

Answer 16

1. Food rich in proteins, calcium,vitamin D and dietary fibre
2. Food that is easy to chew, swallow and digest (e.g. soft fruit and oat porridge)
3. Serve food that is cooked using healthier cooking methods for easy digestion (e.g. boiling and steaming)

Question 17

Why do teenagers need to get enough calcium in their diet?

Answer 17

Teenagers grow and develop rapidly. Bones are being built from the teenage years to around the age of 30. Thus, it is important that teenagers get sufficient calcium to build strong bones.

Question 18

Describe two ways to encourage young children with undeveloped appetites to eat.

Answer 18

To encourage young children to eat, they should be fed small meals several times a day. These meals should be colourful and attractive.

Question 19

Why is it important to serve elderly people meals that are soft, and easy to chew, swallow and digest?

Answer 19

Elderly people tend to have weaker digestive systems. They may also have poor teeth and gums, limiting their ability to chew and swallow food.

Question 20

When planning meals, why is it important to read the ingredients list on the food label?

Answer 20

Some people may be allergic to certain ingredients, such as wheat or milk, So it is important to read the ingredients list to ensure that the food does not contain any ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction.