Age Group Nutrition Needs - Answer Sheet

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Date:

Nutritional foods for different age groups

🍼 Part 1: Nutrition Across Developmental Stages - Answers

1. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate first food for a 6-month-old infant?

Answer: Puréed kūmara (sweet potato)

2. Select ALL foods that are appropriate for toddlers (12-24 months):

Answer: Soft-cooked vegetables, Full-fat milk, Small pieces of soft fruit

3. The main nutritional focus for infants 0-6 months should be:

Answer: Breast milk or formula only

4. Complete the sentence: Young children (2-5 years) need _______ serves of vegetables per day and _______ serves of fruit per day according to New Zealand dietary guidelines.

Answer: Vegetables: 3 serves Fruit: 2 serves

🥄 Part 2: Food Safety and Preparation - Answers

5. Explain why honey should not be given to infants under 12 months old:

Answer: Honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism in infants.

6. Describe THREE food preparation techniques that make foods safer for toddlers:

1. Cook foods thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria.

2. Cut foods into small, manageable pieces to prevent choking.

3. Avoid raw or undercooked foods, especially eggs and meats.

7. List TWO choking hazards for young children and suggest a safer alternative for each:

Choking hazard 1: Whole grapes - Safer alternative: Halved grapes

Choking hazard 2: Hard candies - Safer alternative: Soft fruit slices

🌿 Part 3: Cultural Foods and Reflection - Answers

8. Describe how traditional Māori kai (food) can be adapted for different age groups. Give ONE specific example:

Answer: Traditional Māori dishes like hāngī can be adapted by using softer ingredients for young children, such as mashed kūmara instead of whole pieces.

9. Reflect on your own whānau's food practices. How might cultural foods from your family be modified to suit mokopuna (young children) while maintaining cultural significance?

Answer: Cultural foods can be modified by reducing spice levels and ensuring textures are appropriate for young children, while still using traditional ingredients to maintain cultural significance.

Extension Activity (Advanced Learners): Research and create a weekly meal plan for a 18-month-old toddler that incorporates foods from at least two different cultural backgrounds. Consider nutritional balance, food safety, and cultural appropriateness.

Answer: A sample meal plan could include: - Breakfast: Oatmeal with mashed banana (Western) - Lunch: Soft-cooked rice with steamed vegetables (Asian) - Snack: Yogurt with diced soft fruit (Western) - Dinner: Soft-cooked fish with puréed pumpkin (Pacific Islander).

Support Strategy: If you need help with any questions, work with a partner to discuss your ideas before writing your answers, or ask your teacher for visual food examples.