Learning to Keep a Food Record
CONCEPT: Keeping a Food Record
BRIEF SUMMARY
Review the components of a good food record. Complete a worksheet to practice your skills.
OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, children will be able to:
- list the components of a complete food record (food, amount, method of preparation, brand name)
- complete a 24 hour recall, with help from a parent
- identify a method of record keeping that will work for their family
METHODS
Introduce the topic:
Discuss the purpose of a food record.
- Why are food records important?
- Better understanding of how dietary phe affects blood phe levels, self-monitoring of phe intake
- Communication within the family
- Communication between the family and the PKU Clinic
- What should a complete food record include?
- Type of food
- Amount eaten
- Method of preparation
- Brand name
Food Record Practice Problems
Distribute a worksheet, pencil, and food list to each child. Have parent/child teams complete the worksheet. Review the answers together.
How to Record Your Food Intake--Accurately
Distribute the "How to Record Your Food Intake--Accurately" handout. Discuss it together.
Discuss different types of food records. (If you have samples available, show them while you're discussing.) Why is each type useful? Which type would be most useful for your family?
Distribute blank paper to each parent/child team. Ask them to complete a 24 hour (or 3 day) diet recall. Be as complete as possible, including the important information discussed today.
MATERIALS
- Worksheet: Food Record Practice Problems
- Food List
- Pencils
- Handout: How to Record Your Food Intake--Accurately
- Blank paper
- Sample food records (if available)
HOME ACTIVITIES
- Place your child's food record where he or she has easy access to it (i.e., kitchen) and involve him/her in recording information.
- Allow your child to help in simple meal preparation tasks so that he/she can learn what products are purchased and how they are prepared.