To check if these standards are practical and can meet the nutrient goals, we created and analysed sample menus. We compared these menus to the nutritional needs of a reference person and children in the corresponding age groups.
The demonstration meal selections are intended to show that different menu patterns can be used to meet the nutrient goals.
The demonstration meal selections are not intended to:
- Demonstrate a gold standard in menu choice. The demonstration meal selections have been modelled on a patient choosing from the menu.
- Demonstrate that all aspects of the minimum choices are achieved. The Patient Choice Standard is a menu design tool to ensure variety of options over a day and menu cycle for a patient to choose from.
- Be used as a model or template from which to build a menu.
- Demonstrate the choices to be offered on a menu.
Demonstration meal selections for adult patients
PC indicates a portion control serve.
| Pattern 1: Three meals plus three mid-meals | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 110mL orange juice 2 biscuits Weet-Bix™ 25g prunes 150mL milk 1 poached egg 1 slice wholemeal toast + 1 PC margarine (10g) 1 PC strawberry jam 150mL coffee + 1 PC sugar |
Lunch | 180mL minestrone soup Wholemeal sandwich (2 slices bread) – tuna (50g), mayo and cucumber 120g peaches 110mL vanilla custard |
Dinner | 90g roast pork + 40mL gravy 90g roast potato 70g peas 70g carrot batons 110mL chocolate crème 1 slice wholemeal bread + 1 PC margarine (10g) 150mL tea + 1 PC milk + 1 PC sugar |
3 mid-meals | 2 cups tea (150mL tea + 1 PC milk + 1 PC sugar) 21g sweet plain biscuit 1 fresh apple 100g rice crackers (5) + 20g cheese 250mL chocolate milk |
| Pattern 2: Three meals plus two mid-meals | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 110mL orange juice 2 biscuits Weet-Bix™ 25g prunes 150mL milk 2 slices fruit toast 2 PC margarine (20g) 150mL coffee + 1 PC sugar |
Light meal | 250g pasta bolognaise 90g side salad + 13g dressing 1 slice wholemeal bread + 1 PC margarine (10g) |
Main meal | 90g lean roast chicken + 40mL gravy 90g boiled potato 70g broccoli 70g carrots 120g peaches 110mL vanilla custard 1 slice wholemeal bread + 1 PC margarine (10g) 150mL coffee + 1 PC milk + 1 PC sugar |
Substantial mid-meal | 180mL minestrone soup 1 slice wholemeal bread + 1 PC margarine (10g) 100g rice crackers + 20g cheese |
2 mid-meals | 150mL tea + 1 PC milk + 1 PC sugar 250mL chocolate milk 21g sweet plain biscuit 1 fresh apple |
Analysis of outcomes for adult patients
Menus should be designed so patients can meet:
- protein and energy nutrient goals daily
- micronutrient goals when averaged across a seven-day period. This means, that it may not be necessary to meet micronutrient goals every day, if on some days in a seven-day period they may be exceeded.
The analysis results demonstrate that it is achievable to meet the nutrient goals from two menu patterns.
This is made achievable when nourishing food options are included at mid-meals. These nourishing mid-meals support achieving protein, calcium and energy nutrient goals.
| Nutrient | Nutrient goal | Demonstration selections 1 | % goal | Demonstration selections 2 | % goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy | 8000kJ | 8815kJ | 110% | 9557kJ | 119% |
Protein | 90g | 94.6g | 105% | 102.6g | 114% |
Saturated fat %E* | <10-13% adults <10-11% mental health | 10.7% | Met goal | 11.3% | Met goal |
Fibre | 30g | 31g | 100% | 34g | 113% |
Vitamin C | 45mg | 112mg | 249% | 129mg | 287% |
Folate | 400µg | 486µg | 120% | 600µg | 150% |
Calcium | 1000mg | 1204mg | 120% | 1113mg | 111% |
Iron | 11mg | 15mg | 136% | 19mg | 173% |
Zinc | 14mg | 14mg | 100% | 13.3mg | 95% |
Sodium | <2300mg | 2062mg | 90% | 2319mg | 100% |
* Saturated and trans fat %E determined by: (saturated fat g x 37.7kJ) / energy kJ x 100 = % saturated fat of energy.
Limitations of analysis
There are limitations when using theoretical nutritional analyses as they may not account for actual nutrient loss for heat labile nutrients, e.g. vitamin C, folate and thiamin, incurred during cooking and heating. Exceeding the nutrient goal for these nutrients in the analysis shows that the nutrient goals are being met.
Demonstration meal selections for paediatric patients
Up to 1 year
| Pattern 1: Three meals plus breast milk or 600mL infant formula | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 2 tablespoons infant rice cereal 120g two fruits, canned in natural juice 45g baked beans |
Lunch | 45g braised chicken 45g steamed potato 35g peas 35g cauliflower 100g full-cream vanilla yoghurt |
Dinner | 45g lamb, minced with gravy 45g baked potato 35g carrots 35g green beans 120g stewed apricots |
Other* | Breast milk or 600mL infant formula |
* This is not selected from the menu but will be included in the nutritional analysis.
| Pattern 2: Three meals plus breast milk or 600 mL infant formula | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 1 biscuit Weet-Bix™ 1 boiled egg 1 slice wholemeal bread 1 PC margarine, polyunsaturated |
Lunch | 45g brown lentils 45g white rice 35g pumpkin 35g broccoli 120g stewed apple puree |
Dinner | 45g beef, minced with gravy 45g pasta 35g peas 35g corn 120g pears, canned in juice |
Mid-meals | 2 bite-size wholewheat crispbreads 1 banana 1 baby carrot (steamed, cut up) |
Other* | Breast milk or 600mL infant formula |
1–3 years
| Pattern 1: Three meals plus two mid-meals | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 100mL orange juice 1 biscuit Weet-Bix™ 1 banana 150mL full-cream milk or breast milk 60g baked beans |
Lunch | 1 chicken and salad sandwich (2 slices white bread) 120g peaches, canned in natural juice |
Dinner | 60g lasagne, beef 35g coleslaw 1 wholemeal bread roll 120g apricots, canned in juice 120mL custard |
2 mid-meals | 1 slice watermelon 1 wholewheat crispbread cake 150mL full-cream milk or breast milk 15g cucumber |
Other* | Breast milk or 600mL infant formula |
* This is not selected from the menu but will be included in the nutritional analysis.
| Pattern 2: Three meals plus two mid-meals | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 100mL orange juice 30g wheat, corn, or rice flakes 150mL full cream milk 1 scrambled egg 1 slice multigrain bread + 1 PC margarine, monounsaturated |
Lunch | 75g noodles 45g tuna 35g tomato 35g side salad without dressing 35g broccoli |
Dinner | 75g chicken pieces, crumbed 45g rice 35g pumpkin 35g green beans 120g pears, canned in natural juice |
2 mid-meals | 1 mandarin 2 savoury wheat crackers 150mL full-cream milk 30g wholemeal flat bread |
4–8 years
| Pattern 1: Three meals plus two mid-meals | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 100mL apple juice 30g Rice Bubbles™ 150mL milk, reduced fat 1 slice grain toast + 1 portion canola margarine 1 portion jam 120g peaches, canned in juice |
Lunch | 1 egg sandwich (2 slices white bread + 1 egg mashed) 1 green apple 125g reduced fat fruit yoghurt 120mL jelly |
Dinner | 45g roast chicken breast 45g mashed potato 35g pumpkin 35g peas 1 scoop ice cream 150mL reduced-fat milk |
2 mid-meals | 6 small rice crackers 1 slice cheddar cheese 1 orange 150mL reduced-fat flavoured milk 15g chickpea snack |
| Pattern 2: Three meals plus two mid-meals | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 100mL orange juice 2 biscuits Weet-Bix™ 150mL reduced fat milk 90g canned spaghetti 1 slice white bread + 1 portion canola margarine |
Lunch | 60g chicken nuggets 45g potato wedges 35g side salad, no dressing 120g fresh fruit salad |
Dinner | 60g beef rissole 35g fresh tomato 35g coleslaw 1 small wholemeal bread roll 120g peaches, canned in natural juice 120g jelly 150mL reduced-fat milk |
2 mid-meals | 1 slice banana cake, iced 1 slice watermelon 3 savoury wheat crackers |
9–13 years
| Pattern 1: Three meals plus two mid-meals | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 100mL apple juice 30g cornflakes 150mL reduced-fat milk 2 slices wholemeal toast + 1 portion canola margarine 1 rasher bacon 120g peaches, canned in pear juice |
Lunch | 1 chicken and mayo sandwich (2 slices wholemeal bread, thick slice chicken, mayonnaise) 70g side salad, with dressing 4 slices cucumber 1 fresh red apple 120g jelly |
Dinner | 150g bolognaise sauce 90g spaghetti pasta 70g side salad with dressing 1 wholegrain roll + 1 portion canola margarine 120mL custard 150mL reduced-fat milk |
2 mid-meals | Banana cake, iced 1 slice watermelon 6 rice crackers + 20g reduced-fat cheddar cheese 175g reduced-fat fruit yoghurt |
| Pattern 2: Three meals plus two mid-meals | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 100mL orange juice 1 slice wholemeal toast + 1 portion canola margarine 120g baked beans, canned in tomato sauce 150mL reduced-fat milk |
Lunch | 150g crumbed fish with mayonnaise 90g potato salad 70g side salad 125mL full fat fruit yoghurt 1 grainy bread roll + 1 portion margarine monounsaturated |
Dinner | 90g lamb chops, grilled 90g mashed potato 70g carrot 70g broccoli 120g jelly 90g ice cream |
3 mid-meals | 2 plain sweet biscuits 200mL reduced-fat chocolate flavoured milk 15g vegetable chips 1 medium pear 20g cheese |
14–18 years
| Pattern 1: Three meals plus three mid-meals | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 100mL orange juice 4 biscuits Weet-Bix™ 300mL reduced-fat milk 1 rasher bacon 70g tomato, grilled 1 boiled egg 2 slices wholemeal bread + 2 PC margarine, monounsaturated |
Lunch | Hamburger (90g beef patty on a hamburger bun) 3 slices beetroot 70g side salad – cucumber, tomato, lettuce 90g hot potato chips 1 red apple |
Dinner | 150g chicken drumsticks, baked 90g steamed rice 70g broccoli 1 medium cob corn 120g apricots, canned in natural juice 190g creamy rice |
3 mid-meals | 1 banana, raw 1 puffed rice bar with yoghurt coating 150g chocolate dairy dessert 150mL reduced-fat flavoured milk 4 savoury crackers |
| Pattern 2: Three meals plus two to three mid-meals | |
|---|---|
Breakfast | 100mL apple juice 30g muesli with dried fruit 175g vanilla reduced-fat yoghurt 1 hash brown 120g pears, canned in natural juice 150mL reduced-fat milk |
Lunch | Ham sandwich, white bread 3 spinach and cheese filo pastry + sweet chilli sauce 70g side salad without dressing 1 mandarin, raw |
Dinner | 90g lamb chops, grilled 90g mashed potato 70g carrot 70g broccoli 90g ice cream |
2-3 mid-meals | 4 water crackers 150mL reduced-fat flavoured milk 20g reduced-fat cheddar cheese 25g sultanas 30g hummus dip 45g apple muffin |
Analysis of outcomes for paediatric inpatients
Menus should be designed so patients can meet:
- protein and energy nutrient goals daily
- micronutrient goals when averaged across a seven-day period. This means, that it may not be necessary to meet micronutrient goals every day, if on some days in a seven-day period they may be exceeded.
The analysis results demonstrate that it is achievable to meet the nutrient goals from two menu patterns.
It can be challenging to achieve the nutrient goal for iron for the less than 1 year and 1–3 year age groups. Appropriate sources of iron for these age groups must be included on the menu.
Sodium upper limit goals are also difficult to meet so menu planning to prioritise lower sodium options is very important.
12 months and under
Nutrient | Nutrient goal | Demonstration selections average | % goal |
|---|---|---|---|
Energy | 3500kJ | 4840kJ | 138% |
Protein | 14g | 46g | 328% |
Vitamin C | 30mg | 90mg | 300% |
Folate | 80µg | 250µg | 312% |
Calcium | 270mg | 480mg | 178% |
Iron | 11mg | 11mg | 100% |
Zinc | 3mg | 9mg | 300% |
Sodium | <120-170mg | 450mg | 265% |
1–3 years
| Nutrient | Nutrient goal | Demonstration selections average | % goal |
|---|---|---|---|
Energy | 4200kJ | 5300kJ | 126% |
Protein | 14g | 54g | 386% |
Fibre | 14g | 18g | 128% |
Vitamin C | 35mg | 115mg | 328% |
Folate | 150µg | 380µg | 253% |
Calcium | 500mg | 750mg | 150% |
Iron | 9mg | 8mg | 89% |
Zinc | 3mg | 6mg | 200% |
Sodium | <1000mg | 1170 mg | 117% |
4–8 years
| Nutrient | Nutrient goal | Demonstration selections average | % goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 5500kJ | 6880kJ | 125% |
| Protein | 20g | 64g | 320% |
| Saturated and trans fat %E* | <10-13% | 10% | Meets goal |
| Fibre | 18g | 20g | 111% |
| Vitamin C | 35mg | 154mg | 481% |
| Folate | 200µg | 536µg | 268% |
| Calcium | 700mg | 905mg | 129% |
| Iron | 10mg | 9mg | 90% |
| Zinc | 4mg | 8mg | 200% |
| Sodium | <1400mg | 1680mg | 120% |
9–13 years
Nutrient | Nutrient goal | Demonstration selections average | % Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
Energy | 7500kJ | 10140kJ | 135% |
Protein | 40g | 113g | 282% |
Saturated and trans fat %E* | <10-13% | 12% | Meets goal |
Fibre | 24g | 28.5g | 119% |
Vitamin C | 40mg | 145mg | 362% |
Folate | 300µg | 690µg | 230% |
Calcium | 1300mg | 1370mg | 105% |
Iron | 8mg | 13.5mg | 169% |
Zinc | 6mg | 14mg | 233% |
Sodium | <2000 | 2980 | 149% |
14–18 years
| Nutrient | Nutrient goal | Demonstration selections average | % goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 9400kJ | 10900kJ | 116% |
| Protein | 65g | 125g | 192% |
| Saturated and trans fat %E* | <10-13% | 11% | Meets goal |
| Fibre | 28g | 33g | 118% |
| Vitamin C | 40mg | 170mg | 425% |
| Folate | 400µg | 670µg | 167% |
| Calcium | 1300mg | 1430mg | 110% |
| Iron | 15mg | 17mg | 113% |
| Zinc | 13mg | 17mg | 131% |
| Sodium | <2300 | 2630 | 114% |
* Saturated and trans fat %E determined by: (saturated fat g x 37.7kJ) / energy kJ x 100 = % saturated fat of energy.