Planning a Healthy Diet

1

Know the principles and benefits of a healthy diet.

The key features of a healthy diet should include:

Nutrients

Carbohydrates – provide energy and are found in bread, rice, potatoes and pasta
Fats and oils provide energy – found in butter and vegetable cooking oil
Proteins which help make new cells and repair damaged tissues like muscles – found in beans, eggs, fish, meat, milk
Vitamins such as vitamin C that can help prevent illness found in fruit

Fibre – helps food pass through the digestive system and is found in fruits, vegetables and wholegrain cereals

Water – 70% of the body is water. Water is lost in urine, sweat and breathing out so needs replacing with water from drinking and eating

The main benefits of a healthy diet should include

2

Know the factors to be considered when planning a healthy diet for an individual.

Personal information could include allergies, intolerance's, likes and dislikes, religious beliefs, illness and disability.

Types of special dietary requirements could include:-

2.1

Give examples of the sorts of personal information needed about an individual when planning their diet.
2.2

List some common types of special dietary requirement.

3

Know how to plan a healthy meal for a service user with a specific dietary need.

A plan for a balance meal should be completed indicating what the specific diet is and how it provides a balanced meal.

e.g How it ensures nutrients, fibre and fluid are balanced.

Assessment Guidance