A meal plan starts from the person, not from a favourite dish. Age, health, work and the money available all change the plate.
The idea
Read who the meal is for before you choose the food. An infant, a child, an adolescent, a pregnant woman, a lactating woman, an adult doing heavy work, an older person and a vegetarian do not all need the same plate. A balanced meal supplies the nutrients that person needs, in food they can eat, and it is safe to prepare with the equipment the question allows. A large portion is not the same as a balanced meal. Carbohydrate gives energy for the work they do. Protein supports growth or repair. Vegetables and fruit supply vitamins and fibre. A drink of water belongs in the plan when the question asks for a full day.
Say why each dish is there. "Rice because she likes it" is not a reason. "Rice supplies carbohydrate for the energy her work needs" is a reason. Season, food habits and cost can change a dish, and you should say so when the question gives those limits. Do not invent a price or a calorie count. If the question names a budget, stay inside it in words: a cheaper legume in place of a costly cut of meat, not a figure you made up.
The Food and Nutrition tips guide sets out the papers, the practical, and the mistakes that cost marks. WASSCE Food and Nutrition tips
What earns the marks
The person comes first. A plan that could be for anyone has not answered a question about a pregnant woman or a toddler. Give the food and the nutrient it supplies for that person. Two dishes that supply only carbohydrate are one point repeated. Do not invent a price.
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
1Question 1
4 marks
A pregnant woman needs a midday meal.
(a) State two needs that should shape the meal. (2 marks)
(b) Name one dish and say why it fits one of those needs. (2 marks)
Model answer
(a) She needs extra protein for the growing baby, and iron because her blood volume rises.
(b) Bean stew supplies protein for growth. It can be served with a cereal or a root for energy.
Mark scheme
One real need, such as protein, iron, calcium or a safe meal1 mark
A second need, different from the first1 mark
A named dish1 mark
The dish is tied to one of the needs, not only to taste1 mark
2Question 2
4 marks
Explain why a large plate of rice is not the same as a balanced meal for an adolescent. (4 marks)
Model answer
Rice supplies carbohydrate for energy. An adolescent is still growing, so the meal also needs protein for growth, and vegetables or fruit for vitamins and fibre. A large portion of one food does not supply those other nutrients.
Mark scheme
Rice, or a large portion, supplies mainly carbohydrate or energy1 mark
An adolescent needs protein for growth1 mark
Vitamins, minerals or fibre are also needed1 mark
Size alone does not make the meal balanced1 mark
3Question 3
2 marks
State two factors, other than nutrient needs, that can change a family meal plan. (2 marks)
Model answer
The money available, and the equipment in the kitchen. The season and the food habits of the household are also true answers.
Mark scheme
One factor, such as money, equipment, season, time or food habits1 mark
A second factor, different from the first1 mark
Practise Food and Nutrition with Anna
More questions on this topic are inside glearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
The person the meal is for, the foods, and why those foods fit that person. Money, equipment and the season count when the question gives them. A favourite dish with no reason is not a plan.