Food Record

Description
Parents and caregivers record all foods offered to, and eaten by, their child in a specified (usually 3 or 7 days) period. Information to make the record accurate includes detailed portion sizes and methods of food preparation (e.g., baked, sautéed, steamed). It can also be helpful to have families record the time of day that foods were eaten.

Seven-day records are more representative of a child's usual intake than 3-day records. If 3 days are recorded, include one weekend day. It is important to review the completed food record with caregivers to clarify foods and portion sizes.

Strengths

• Provides prospective data
• In general, a good tool to estimate a child's usual energy intake

Limitations

• Errors in portion size estimation are common
• Foods that are added to other foods (e.g., ketchup, jelly, margarine) are often omitted
• Requires time from the family
• Intake recorded may not reflect child's usual intake