Feeding Children with Special Dietary Needs

1
Feeding Children with Special Dietary Needs

• The Role of School Foodservice

2
Session Objectives

• Identify the role school foodservice personnel
  have in the nutrition management of children with
  special dietary needs

3
The Special Needs Child

• One who has a physical or mental impairment that
  substantially limits one or more of major life
  activities

4
Special Food and Nutrition Needs

• Feeding problems
• Alterations in growth
• Medical disorders
• Food/Nutrient Modification
• Hearing or Visual Impairments
• Drug/Nutrient Interactions

5
Considerations for Foodservice

• Menu planning
• Equipment
• Food purchasing
• Food production
• Service
• Inservice and education of workers

6
Safety and Sanitation

• Pureed foods
• Prepare as close to service as possible
• Avoid temperature danger zone
• Wash and sanitize when changing products to avoid
  cross contamination
• Sanitize blender and all equipment after each use

7
Food sensitivities

• Allergy abnormal response of the body to some
  substance that is normally not harmful
• Immunological reaction

8
Allergic responses

• GI - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain,
  GI bleeding
• Respiratory - runny/stuffy nose, sneezing,
  inflammation of sinuses, cough, asthma, swelling
  or watering of the eyes, difficulty swallowing or
  breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing or
  repetitive cough, itching of the nose, roof of
  the mouth, throat, eyes or ears
• Skin - rashes, dermatitis, skin inflammation,
  itchiness, hives or eczema
• Systemic - anaphylaxis, failure to thrive

9
Most Common Food Allergies

• Crustacean
• shellfish
• Egg
• Fish
• Milk
• Peanuts
• Soybeans
• Tree nuts
• Wheat

10
Foodservice Role

• Work with parents, children, teachers and
  administrators to address needs
• Require medical documentation for food allergies
  and other special diets

11
Remember

• Adequate nutrition is essential in the health and
  learning of all children. Nutrition is important
  for all children regardless of disability or any
  other special needs.