edu 153 special considerations for menu planning ©2013 cengage learning. all rights reserved

EDU 153Special Considerations for

Menu Planning

©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Special Considerations for Menu Planning

• Children with disabilities and other special needs– Individual accommodations may be necessary– Some children have issues with textures and

consistencies– Special diets for certain conditions



• Children with religious beliefs that affect menu planning– Jewish kosher diet– Muslim halal diet– Hindu diet– Buddist diet– Seventh-Day Adventist diet– Mormon health code


Jewish Kosher Diet

The list of prohibited foods includes:• Pork• Shellfish• Certain combinations of food, such as

dairy foods and meat eaten at the same time


Jewish Kosher Diet

Religious laws regulate:• How animals are to be slaughtered• How foods are to be prepared• When foods can be eaten

Specific dietary laws are in place during religious observances, such as Passover.


Muslim Halal Diet


Allowed foods (halal) include:• Meats from animals slaughtered according

to procedures dictated by the religion• Marine animals and seafood• Dairy products• Grains and grain products such as cereals

and rice• Vegetables• Fruits

Muslim Halal Diet• Prohibited foods (haram) include:• Pork and pork by-products such as bacon

or sausage• Animal fats or gelatin (no lard or Jello)• Birds of prey

Fasting and specific dietary laws occur during special religious observances, such as Ramadan.


Hindu Diet

• Emphasizes vegetarianism, but not all Hindus are strict vegetarians

• Dairy products may be eaten.• No beef or pork, but chicken, fish, or eggs• Fruits, nuts, vegetables, and whole grains are the

most desirable foods.• Leftover, stale, or overripe food is considered impure.• Strict Hindus do not eat garlic, onions, mushrooms, or

hot and spicy foods, and do not imbibe in caffeine or alcohol.


Buddhist Diet

• Most follow a vegetarian diet.

• Many do not eat dairy products, whereas others are lacto-ovo vegetarians.

• Those who do eat meat do not eat beef.


Seventh-Day Adventist Diet

• Liberal amounts of whole grain breads, cereals, and pastas

• Liberal amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits

• Low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and eggs

• No coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages


The Mormon Health Code• Liberal amounts of vegetables and fruits

• Liberal amounts of whole grains

• Limit amount of drinks such as caffeinated or carbonated beverages

• No hot drinks such as coffee or tea; no alcohol



• Children who are

vegetarians – Vegan, lacto-

vegetarian,

ovo-vegetarian,

and lacto-ovo vegetarian

Which of these could eat this piece of pizza?


Food Intolerance

• The difference between an allergic reaction to a food and intolerance to a food involves the immune system.

• A child who has food intolerance has an abnormal response to a food, but it does not compromise the general health and well-being of the child.

• A child who is intolerant to a food can eat small amounts of it and have little or no reaction.

• A child with an allergy to a food has a response that is triggered from the immune system; such a reaction may bring about a serious medical condition or may be life threatening.

• Only about 5 percent of children have a true food allergy ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Lactose Intolerance• An example is lactose intolerance.• Lactose is the simple sugar found in milk. • When people are unable to metabolize lactose properly, they

experience gastric distress such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, or vomiting.

• Infants who exhibit lactose intolerance are put on soy-based or lactose-free formulas.

– Care should be taken when putting a child on a soy-based formula because soy is another product that children are commonly allergic to.

• Lactose intolerance is fairly common in the United States. – As many as 90 percent of Asian Americans – 75 percent of Hispanic Americans, African Americans, and Native Americans may

exhibit lactose intolerance. – This may be because many non-Caucasians do not commonly include dairy

products as part of their diet. – In many cases, children grow out of their intolerance.


Food Allergies

• Children with Food Allergies– Number of children

with food allergies increasing

– Common foods• Peanuts, milk, eggs,

wheat, tree nuts. fish, shellfish, soybeans

– Children can be allergic to more than one food


Food Allergies• Come from both environmental and genetic

factors• Risk for food allergy from diet can be prevented

in several ways:– Milk or milk products should not be introduced to

children before age 1 year. – Children should not have eggs until they are 2 years

old. – Peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, and fish should not be a

part of a child’s menu until the child is at least 3 years old and should be done so then with caution

Food Allergies

• Children with food allergies– Allergic reactions occur and can be serious– Educational site should be prepared to deal

with these reactions• Be prepared in advance• Allergy action plan• EpiPen• Support allergic child by providing a safe

environment


Reality Check: Peanut Allergy

• What would you do in an early education site to prevent risk for children allergic to peanuts?


edu 153 special considerations for menu planning ©2013 cengage learning. all rights reserved

Documents

cengage learning

food intolerance

food allergies children

vegetarian diet

overripe food

lactose intolerance

buddhist diet

dairy foods