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Meals for different groups of people is taught in the note for Planning Balanced Meals. Read it below and look for the section on this topic.

Planning Balanced Meals

14 min read

Principles of planning

To plan a balanced meal consider the nutritional needs of the people (age, sex, activity, health), the food groups, cost and the family income, the foods available in the season, variety in colour, texture, flavour and cooking method, time and fuel, and likes and dislikes, culture and religion.

A balanced plateA plate split into food groups. About a third is energy-giving foods (cereals, roots and tubers), about a third is vegetables and fruits that protect the body, about a quarter is body-building foods (beans, fish, meat, eggs and milk), and a little is fat and sugar, with plenty of water to drink.energyprotectbuildfatcereals, roots, tubers (energy)fruits and vegetables (vitamins, minerals)beans, fish, meat, eggs, milk (protein)oil, sugar (small amounts)

Meals for different groups

GroupNeedsMeal example
Young childrenEnergy and protein for growth, frequent small mealsUji with groundnut paste, mashed beans and avocado, fruit
School children and adolescentsEnergy, protein, iron and calciumUgali, beans and spinach, milk, fruit
Adults (active)Energy and balanced nutrientsRice, fish stew, cabbage, orange
Pregnant and breastfeeding womenExtra protein, iron, folate and calciumWholemeal ugali, liver, dark green vegetables, milk
ElderlyFewer calories, soft foods, calcium, fibreSoft porridge, steamed fish, boiled vegetables
Sick peopleEasy-to-digest, nourishing foods and fluidsSoups, porridges, juice

Energy needs

The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the energy the body needs at rest. A simple estimate for adults is about 24 kcal per kg of body mass per day. Multiply by an activity factor (1.4 for a light job, 1.7 for moderate activity, 2.0 for heavy work) to find the daily energy requirement.

1 kcal = 4.2 kJ.
Worked exampleDaily energy

A farmer of mass 60 kg does heavy work (factor 2.0). Estimate the daily energy need.

  1. Multiply.
  2. In kilojoules.

Answer: About 2 900 kcal (12 100 kJ) per day.

Active men and breastfeeding women need more energy than an inactive adult or a child.
Try itEnergy requirement

Choose the body mass and the activity level.

Check yourself Which should be planned for a school child?
Check yourself A pregnant woman needs extra
Check yourself A family’s menu depends on

Key terms

Menu
A list of the dishes in a meal.
BMR
Basal metabolic rate: energy needed at rest.
Variety
Differences in colour, flavour and texture.
Requirement
The amount of a nutrient or energy needed.

Summary

  • Plan meals for the needs, budget and season.
  • Different groups have different needs.
  • Daily energy ≈ 24 × mass × activity factor.
  • Include variety and all the food groups.