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→Checking Nutrition Content
The analysis shows the menus' actual total calories, as well as the ''target'' calorie intake. The analysis also shows the actual and target proportions of protein, carbohydrate, and fat in the day's menus. Finally, it shows what percentage of the U.S. RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) the menus supply for seven essential vitamins and minerals. ''Note:'' Although the target percentages of protein, fats, and carbohydrate add up to 100%, the actual percentages may not add up to exactly 100%.
Small white symbols (> and <) appear on each side of any entry which is too high or low. In the above example, for instance, calories and fat are too high, while iron is too low. In this case, you may wish to revise the menus by adding a food high in iron and deleting a portion of food that is high in fat from the day's menus. For help in deciding which foods to add or delete, refer to the food list in ''Appendix B''.
Keep in mind that the figures in the nutritional analyses are estimates. They are based on such factors as the average adult dietary requirements and average nutritional content of foods. In addition, please note the following:
:■ In the menus created by the module, the percentage of vitamin C is usually high, and the amount of vitamin A varies widely from day to day. This is not unusual in a well-balanced diet.
:■ The module occasionally creates daily menus with a low percentage of thiamin and/or iron. An occasional low percentage of thiamin should generally be sufficient to meet the needs of most participants, since the body creates additional thiamin from other nutrients. An occasional low percentage of iron should also be sufficient for adult male participants, since the percentage is based on the higher iron requirements of females (18 mg. per day). Other participants, however, may require an iron supplement.
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