Chapter 12. Foods and nutrients: Basic concepts.

Ruby runs a small child care program in her
home. The preschool-age children begin arriving at 7.a.m each morning and leave
by 5:30 p.m. Ruby prepares
and serves them breakfast, lunch, and two snacks throughout the day. This year,
she has encountered several children who have challenging food allergies and
food preferences. What suggestions would you offer to help Ruby in each of the
following situations?

1. Layla, age 4, breaks out in hives
whenever she has eaten too many strawberries or oranges. She will occasionally
accept a small serving of applesauce or a few bites of banana but few other
fruits. What two nutrients are probably deficient in Layla’s diet?
What other fruit or vegetables can Ruby
serve to supply these essential vitamins?

2. Ailani, age 3 is lactose intolerant and
unable to drink milk or to eat dairy products. What nutrient is most likely
deficient in ailani’s diet? What other food can Ruby serve to meet ailani’s nutrient
needs?

3. Carlos, age 5, doesn’t like milk and demands
fruit juice or lemonade instead. What two nutrients are most likely deficient?
What adjustments can Ruby make in his diet to meet these needs?

4. Mariko, age 2, prefers a daily diet of
rice or noodles that have been drenched in soy sauce. She will take a few bites
of tofu when her mother insists, but refuses meats, fish, and most vegetable.
What nutrients is she missing? What health concerns would you have about
Mariko’s current dietary pattern? What can Ruby do to improve, Mariko’s dietary
intake?

5. Sophia’s favorite breakfast foods include
bacon, sausage, doughnuts, and biscuits with gravy. What nutrients is she
consuming in excess? What food groups and nutrients is she lacking? Should Ruby
be concerned, and what can she do to encourage healthier eating habits?