Planning Healthful Meals & Snacks
introduction
If you have read the previous sections, you have already learned about good nutrition and about older adults’ special nutrition needs. Now you can learn how to apply this information to plan healthful meals for older adults.
This section will cover the following topics:
- Using Food Labels to Make Healthful Food Choices
Which foods have food labels on them? What kind of health claims (such as helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure) and nutrient content claims (such as low-fat or light) can be listed on food labels? How can you use the Nutrition Facts panel and the ingredient list as tools to select healthful foods to serve to your participants?
- Modifying Recipes and Menus
How can you reduce the amount of fat, trans fat, sodium, and sugar in recipes? How can you add more fiber, fruits, and vegetables to recipes?
- Preparing Healthful Snacks
What are the benefits or snacking? What are some tips to choose healthful snacks?
- Keeping Foods Safe for Older Adults
What is foodborne illness, and how can you prevent it?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some questions that you may have about serving meals and snacks.
NOTE: You may also have questions about how to choose foods and beverages that are reimbursable within CACFP guidelines. This topic will be addressed in the Crediting Foods section of this manual.
in this section:
Planning Healthful Meals & Snacks 
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- Using Food Labels to Make Healthful Food Choices
- Modifying Recipes & Menus
- Preparing Healthful Snacks
- Keeping Foods Safe for Older Adults
- Frequently Asked Questions
