Question

Six-year-old Georgia is about to enter first grade in an elementary school that became “nut free” at the beginning of the new school year. Georgia’s mother, Robin, wants to prepare nutritionally well-balanced lunches that do not contain nuts or nut products for her daughter to take to school. Georgia is not a picky eater, so she will consume a wide variety of foods. Also, Robin has a small insulated container to keep foods cold until lunchtime. Georgia can purchase low-fat milk at school, and she has access to water in the school’s cafeteria.

1. A sample lunch for Georgia includes a 6-ounce container of Greek yogurt, 6 cherry tomatoes, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, 10 whole-wheat crackers, and water. To add variety to the lunch, which of the following options could substitute for the Greek yogurt, for a nutrient-dense alternative still meeting MyPlate recommendations?

• Banana

• Low-fat milk

• Hummus and carrot sticks

• Peanut butter

2. Which of the following recommendations can improve Georgia’s nutrient intake while she is in school?

• Include small amounts of foods that are in easy-to-open packaging.

• Include nutrient-dense food items.

• Include a variety of options, so the lunch varies each day of the week.

• All of the choices are correct.

3. Georgia consumes approximately 1200 kcal daily. According to MyPlate guidelines, Georgia should consume _______.

• 1 cup vegetables daily

• 6 oz protein daily

• 3 cups dairy

• 4 oz grain daily

4. Which of the following describes the National School Lunch Program?

• Requires schools to only serve fresh fruits and vegetables

• Federally funded project

• All of the choices are correct.

• Program provides funding to public schools, but not private schools

Answer 1

1. A sample lunch for Georgia includes the following:

Items	Amount	Calories
Greek yogurt	6-ounce (170gm)	100
Cherry tomatoes	6	18
Unsweetened applesauce	½ cup (123gm)	83
Whole-wheat crackers	10	160
Water	-	0

Therefore total calories = 361 calories

Georgia consumes approximately 1200 kcal daily. Lunch accounts 1/3rd of total calorie requirements. so max calories Georgia should have for lunch is around 400 kcal.

To supplement variety to the lunch, and substitute for the Greek yogurt (6-ounce container contains 100 calories) the following can be considered:

Item	Calories
Banana	105 (medium size)
Low-fat milk	110 (approx. depends on amount)
Hummus and carrot sticks	170 (30 for 8 baby carrots + 140 tablespoons of hummus)
Peanut butter	588 (100gm)

If yogurt is replaced by banana (medium-sized), total calories will be 366 calories, which is considered OKAY.

If yogurt is replaced by Low-fat milk, total calories will be 371 calories, which is considered adequate but variety cannot be added for lunch.

If yogurt is replaced by Hummus and carrot sticks, total calories will be 431 calories, which cannot be considered.

If yogurt is replaced by Peanut butter, total calories will be 849 calories, which is high in calories so it cannot be considered.

Bananas are a healthy source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, various antioxidants and phytonutrients

2. Ans: Include nutrient-dense food items.

By including nutrient-dense food items, Georgia’s nutrient intake can improve while she is in school.

Nutrient-dense food includes vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free milk products, seafood, lean meats, eggs, peas, beans etc.

3. Ans: 1 cup vegetables daily

MyPlate guidelines include:

• Balance calories
• Savour your food, but eat less
• Evade oversized portions
• Eat more veggies, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products
• Make half the plate fruits and vegetables
• Make half the grains whole grains
• Cut back on foods high in solid fats, added sugars, and salt
• Choose lower-sodium versions of foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks

As per above, Georgia should eat 1 cup vegetables daily which is about 118 calorie

Carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram, protein provides 4 calories per gram and fat provides 9 calories per gram. Georgia consumes approximately 1200 kcal daily if she includes:

• 6 oz of proteins: 1 0z = 170g, proteins = 4 calories./gm = 680 calories, HIGH
• 3 cups of dairy: 447 calories, HIGH
• 4 oz grain: 424 calories, HIGH

4. National School Lunch Program (NSLP) mains at providing nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.The NSLP is required to provide one-third of the daily calorie, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin E needs for participants through foods provided at lunch

Ans: It is a federally funded project

It mains in providing not just fresh fruits and veggies but also grains, dairy products in general nutrients rich food to the children.

It operates in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions.