Abstract
Objective: To evaluate kindergarten menus in the frame of the National Health Programme for Children in Estonia in order to guarantee optimal food intake for children. Design: Five kindergarten menus were calculated in Tallinn and in a rural area in Estonia from February 1999 to December 2001, including both Russian and Estonian kindergartens with more than 700 children. The study was conducted using a Micro-Nutrica programme, the database with 700 foodstuffs and 900 ready-to- eat meals, with 56 characteristics of nutrients. Results: Estonian kindergarten menus provided the recommended amount of food energy. The percentage of energy derived from saturated fatty acids was too high and that from polyunsaturated fatty acids too low. There was an insufficient content of vitamins C and D and dietary fibre in all kindergarten menus, and the content of other micronutrients differed from menu to menu. Conclusions: The energy content of menus on different days should be ba lanced. There is a need to alter the balance of carbohydrates and fats in favour of increasing starch and lowering saturated fats. Insufficient amount of vitamins C and D in meals should be supplemented by adding casseroles, fruit juices and fish dishes. A correction should be made in favour of calcium and iron, and for a lower sodium content. Keywords: children’s nutrition; daily kindergarten menus; energy and nutrient content; Micro-Nutrica
Highlights
IntroductionSatisfying the body’s needs for nutrients and energy is the basis for evaluating the nutritional value of food
Food serves as a construction material, as well as a source of energy for the body
The calculation of needs per kilogram body weight shows that a 5year-old child needs over three times more iron and vitamin D, almost three times more vitamins C and B12 and nearly twice as much vitamin B1 and calcium than a 25-year-old man [1]
Summary
Satisfying the body’s needs for nutrients and energy is the basis for evaluating the nutritional value of food. Children need the same nutrients as adults, the needs per kilogram body weight are much larger, as it is necessary to synthesize new tissues. The calculation of needs per kilogram body weight shows that a 5year-old child needs over three times more iron and vitamin D, almost three times more vitamins C and B12 and nearly twice as much vitamin B1 and calcium than a 25-year-old man [1]. A 3-year-old child needs approximately 5.5 MJ (1300 kcal) per day and a 6-year-old 7 MJ (1700 kcal) per day. Children require less energy than adults but the same amount of some nutrients, which means that a child’s menu must have a higher nutrient density
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