Meal Planning, diet planning or Menu planning

1. Meal Planning
By- Astha K. Patel
ASTHA K. PATEL

2.  Meal planning means planning the diet,
which provide all the nutrients in required
amount & proportions.
 What are characteristics of well planned
meal?
 Food should be palatable
 Should have nutritive value
 Should be have good taste, texture,
appearance.
ASTHA K. PATEL

3. Definition
Meal planning is art & science : an
art in skillful blending of colours,
textures & flavours and a science in
the wise choice of food for optimum
nutrition & digestion.
ASTHA K. PATEL

4. Importance of Meal planning
The meal planning helps to make the use of
materials, time & financial resources.
To obtain meals that meets the physical,
social & psychological needs of individuals
& families.
It is imp. To plan family meals in order to
fullfill nutritional requirements
ASTHA K. PATEL

5.  This is essential to keep them strong, healthy &
free from any disease & deficiency.
 While meal planning, the methods of working can
be carefully so that there is maximum retention of
nutrients & minimum loss.
 Meals can be planned according to budget of
family.
ASTHA K. PATEL

6. Objectives
To satisfy nutritional needs of the family
members.
To keep expenditure within family food
budget
To take into account the food preferences
of individual members.
Using methods of cooking to retain
maximum nutrients
To economize time, fuel & energy
To serve attractive & appetizing meals
ASTHA K. PATEL

7. Goals of Meal planning
Achieving nutritional adequacy
The first goal is good nutrition
It is essential to satisfy the
nutritional needs of family member
according to their age, activity level
& occupation. ASTHA K. PATEL

8. Matching meals to the budget for
foods
It is necessary to ensure that the meals
do not cost too much.
Spending money on foods must be
planned & should stay within the
family’s food budget.
Purchase food from each food groups.
ASTHA K. PATEL

9. Achieving meals the family want &
likes
Meals must be so planned that it should
be accepted, eaten & enjoyed by the
family members.
The kind of meal we eat is influenced by
culture, customs, socio-economic
status, education, religion, personal
preferences & region of residence.
ASTHA K. PATEL

10. Matching meals to available time
 Meals must be planned according to the time.
 Time is required for planning & organizing the
manual work of meal.
 Time & energy are required for shopping, meal
preparation & clean up after meals.
ASTHA K. PATEL

11. Factor affecting Meal Planning
 Nutritional adequacy
 Economy
 Facilities & help available
 Satiety value
 Personal likes & dislikes
 Religion
 Tradition
 Customs
ASTHA K. PATEL

12. Food fads & fallacies
Availability of food stuffs and
climate
Variety
Meal times
Occasion
Schedule of family members
ASTHA K. PATEL

13. Steps in Meal Planning
Preparing list – one should make
shopping list of foods available in the
market from each food group. This
would save time & energy.
Compare the prices – compare the
prices in the market & decide, which
food suits the budget
ASTHA K. PATEL

14. Estimating daily needs – develop skills in
estimating daily needs of the family
members & then calculate.
Planning menus according to the
requirements of the family.
Choose an appropriate cooking method
to prepare meals.
ASTHA K. PATEL

15. Suggestions for Menu
Planning
Consider whole day as a unit rather than
individual meals.
Try to distribute carbohydrate, fats &
protein throughout the day.
Use seasonal food because they are best
in flavour & cheaper.
Take care of flavour, color, texture by
giving contrast in each meals
ASTHA K. PATEL

16.  Keep colour combination of dishes in mind,
while planning a meal.
 The dish can be garnished to bring about
more colours in diet.
 Flavour of food should be blended with each
other.
 There should also be some contrast be crisp,
like with the tomato soup we can given toast
etc.
ASTHA K. PATEL

17. There should be balance between the
dishes like some dishes are light &
others are heavy.
Include the favourite foods of the
family at different meals but at the
same time do not be limited to only
these foods & try to introduce new
dishes, so that food habits can be
expanded.
ASTHA K. PATEL

18. Money can be saved on foods
by following methods
Buying bigger packs
Compare price before buying
Cook just amount required
Use seasonal fruits & vegetables
ASTHA K. PATEL

19. Time can also be saved by
following methods
Plan meal for several days at a time
Buy dry ingredients together at least
for a month
Arrange things properly in kitchen so
as to save time while working
Use pressure cooker
Use labour serving devices such as
mixer, blender etc. ASTHA K. PATEL

20. ASTHA K. PATEL