What is nutrient analysis software?
Nutrient analysis software is a computer based tool that performs nutrient analyses based on user input of meal or recipe components. Computer-assisted analyses enable the menu planner to more easily adjust portion sizes and food components as needed to guarantee each meal meets 1/3 of the RDAs/AIs. Programs differ in comprehensiveness of database, nutrients analyzed, and ease of use. See Creative Solutions, Nutrient Analysis Software for Menu Planning and Evaluation, for more on this topic. What is a meal pattern? A meal pattern is a menu-planning tool used to develop menus for a specific age group. Meal patterns should include food from each of four food groups- meat/meat alternate, vegetable/fruit, bread/bread alternate, and milk/milk alternate. Patterns can incorporate standards including: low sodium, low fat, low saturated fat, and low cholesterol as designated by State Units of Aging (SUA) guidelines. Standardized menus and recipes are essential to the plan. How is a meal pattern
