Nutritional needs when selecting recipes for different groups of people

Question 1

What should total fat content be in foods?

Answer 1

4-17.5g

Question 2

What should total saturated content be in foods?

Answer 2

1.5-5g

Question 3

What should total sugar content be in foods?

Answer 3

5-22.5g

Question 4

What should total salt content be in foods?

Answer 4

0.3-1.5g

Question 5

Suggest some ways of lowering fat in your cooking.

Answer 5

• Low fat alternatives (e.g. skimmed or semi skimmed milk)
• Use cream, fromage frais or quark instead of cream
• Small amounts of strong cheese instead of mild cheese
• Lean meat cuts
• Low fat spread over butter
• Canned fish in water or brine rather than oil
• Sorbet over ice cream

Question 6

Suggest some ways of lowering the sugar content in your cooking.

Answer 6

• Reduce amount of sugar added
• Use dried or fresh fruit
• Use sweeteners

Question 7

Suggest some ways of lowering salt content in your cooking.

Answer 7

• Use herbs and spices instead
• Read product labels and choose less salt
• Reduce processed meat intake
• Reduce savoury snack intake
• Check food labels for added sodium (not advised)

Question 8

Suggest some ways of increasing fibre in foods.

Answer 8

• Add extra vegetables into casseroles, pasta dishes, soups etc
• Use wholegrain cereals and products
• Use wholemeal or half and half flour over white flour
• Have dried fruit, nuts and seeds as snacks

Question 9

What cooking methods can be changed when selecting recipes?

Answer 9

• Grill or oven bake over frying
• Steam fish over frying
• Poach, bake or boil (no fat added)
• Dry fry - not shallow or deep
• Use fats and oils sparingly