Soft Diet

Soft Diet

Question 1. write the features of diet and sample menu for school children.
Answer.

School-age children (ages 6 to 12) need healthy foods and nutritious snacks. They have a steady but slow rate of growth and usually eat 4 to 5 times a day (with snacks). Many food habits, likes, and dislikes are set during this time. Family, friends, and the media (chiefly TV) effect their food choices and eating habits. School-age children are often willing to eat a wider variety of foods than their younger siblings. Eating healthy after-school snacks is important, too, as these snacks may contribute up to one-fourth of the total calorie intake for the day.

Calories and Proteins

The requirements of calories are increased steadily in this age group. It increases further during adolescence. The increased requirements of proteins would meet demands of growth. Girls require more protein to meet the needs of approaching menarche.

Minerals

10-12 years old children require more calcium than adults to meet skeletal growth. As the blood volume increases, there is an increased demand for iron.

Sample diet for school children.

Always serve breakfast, even if it has to be “on the run.” Some ideas for a quick, healthy breakfast include:

• Fruit
• Milk
• Bagel
• Cheese toast
• Cereal
• Peanut butter sandwich
• Take advantage of big appetites after school by serving healthy snacks, such as:
• Fruit
• Vegetables and dip
• Yogurt
• Turkey or chicken sandwich
• Cheese and crackers
• Milk and cereal

Question 2. Soft diet.
Answer.

Soft Diet

This bridges the gap between acute illness and convalescence. It is used in acute infection following surgery and for patients unable to chew. The soft diet is

• Made of simple foods
• Easily digestable
• Contains no fibre
• Near to a normal diet
• Not highly spiced or seasoned.

Soft Diet It bridges the gap between acute illness and convalescence. It may be used in acute infections, following surgery, and for patients who are unable to chew. The soft diet is made up of simple, easily digestable food and contains no harsh fibre. Patients with dental problems are given mechanically soft diet. It is often modified further for certain pathologic conditions as bland and low residue diets. In this diet, three meals with intermediate feedings should be given.

Foods to eat on a soft foods diet

• canned fish and canned poultry
• fruit juice and vegetable juice
• white rice
• egg noodles
• white bread
• mashed potatoes
• bananas
• mangoes
• avocados