AQA GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition: Revision Guide

Key learning: Planning balanced meals for different life stages Points that apply to pre-school children 1–4 years The best eating habits and lifestyle choices for this life stage: • Regular meals and drinks • Serve small portions • Try new foods regularly • Eat fresh and raw foods as well as cooked ones • Allow them to eat until they feel full – do not expect them to finish everything • Be aware of choking hazards with foods Encourage: • Drinking water and whole milk • Share and enjoy food as a group • Happy meal times – sitting at a table if possible • Involving children in choosing and buying food • Encourage tooth care – cleaning regularly and not eating too many sugary foods • Body growth and development is rapid • Energy needs are high • All nutrients are important especially protein, vitamins and minerals • Eatwell Guide does not fully apply but gradually move towards it • Limit the amount of free sugars and salt eaten Discourage : • Eating snacks between meals Points that apply to children 5–12 years The best eating habits and lifestyle choices for this life stage: • Regular meals and drinks – especially breakfast • Follow the Eatwell Guide • Continue to try new foods regularly • Eat fresh and raw foods as well as cooked ones • Share and enjoy food as a group / family Encourage: • Children to find out about food • Children to drink water • Children to go shopping for food and help preparing family meals • Body growth and development is rapid • Energy needs are high – children should be physically active • All nutrients are important especially protein, vitamins and minerals • Limit the amount of free sugars and salt eaten Discourage : • Long use of computers / phones / TV to avoid them becoming overweight due to being inactive • Drinking sugary fizzy drinks • Eating snacks between meals • Eating too many ready-prepared meals and fast food Points that apply to adolescents (teenagers) The best eating habits and lifestyle choices for this life stage: • Regular meals and drinks – always eat breakfast • Drink plenty of water • Continue to try new foods regularly • Follow the Eatwell Guide • Eat fresh and raw foods as well as cooked ones • Take regular exercise to stay fit and maintain a healthy weight • Spend regular time outside in the sun to make vitamin D in the body Encourage: • Teenagers to find out about food • Teenagers to be involved in cooking meals in the home • Teenagers to go shopping for food and help plan family meals • Teenagers to get plenty of sleep All nutrients are important especially: • Calcium/vitamin D – so skeleton strengthens and reaches peak bone mass when they are adults • Iron and vitamin C: (especially girls) to avoid anaemia • B group vitamins: to help the body use energy and the brain to concentrate • Fibre: to maintain a healthy digestive system Discourage: • Eating too many energy-dense foods /meals • Eating lots of sugar and salt • Drinking sugary fizzy drinks which may affect how the bones take up minerals • Eating too many ready-prepared meals and fast food What you must know about planning balanced meals In your answers, you need to know how to explain: Further information you can add to extend your answers: 33 1 Chapter 2: Nutritional needs and health : Nutritional needs