Diet Recall

Description

Parents or caregivers describe the types and amounts of food eaten in a specified (usually 24 hours) period. The 24-hour diet recall is often used as a screening tool. Food models, measuring cups, and other visual aids can be useful in helping families to estimate portion sizes.

Strengths

• Can be useful during clinic follow-up to measure adherence to dietary recommendations

Limitations

• May not represent a typical day's intake…so may not accurately describe a child's usual intake
• Families tend to forget about (or be unaware of) foods eaten between meals