Menu Planning for Special Dietary Considerations

nutrition and health of children and family

The following is the lunch menu for 3- to 5-year-olds in your child care center:

6 ounces low-fat milk: 1 milk serving
Peanut butter (1½ tablespoons) on ½ slice of whole-grain bread: ½ protein serving and 1 grain serving
3 ounces blueberry-flavored yogurt: ½ protein serving
½ cup strawberry slices: 1 vegetable/fruit/juice serving
½ cup steamed green beans: 1 vegetable/fruit/juice serving


Several of the children in your center have

special dietary needs. Explain how you would alter the menu to

accommodate Tyler who has Type 1 diabetes and Annie who is allergic to

milk. Be sure to offer specific alternatives to the necessary menu

items and explain why these are better choices. Also, address safety

precautions for Tyler and Annie that teachers will need to take when

preparing these foods for the rest of the class. Your discussion post

should be at least 200 words in length.