Planning meals should include

selecting nutritious foods
factoring in cost
identifying sources of nutrition information
identifying the effects of food allergies on health
identifying the effects of nutrition on wellness
maintaining feeding/meal schedules
maintaining, handling, and storing food supply
identifying cultural, ethnic, and family traditions related to food
developing strategies for establishing a healthy and social mealtime environment and routines
identifying community resources available to help meet family nutritional needs.

Process/Skill Questions

Thinking

How does the nutritional health and wellness of your child affect you and your family?
What are the family or cultural traditions that influence the foods you select for your family?
Why are mealtime or eating routines important to children? Their families?
Why should you avoid pre-packaged and already prepared foods? Why are they more costly?

Communication

Leadership

What reliable guides are there for making your own baby food?
How can you learn to shop for and prepare foods that not only provide good nutrition, but that also taste good?

Management

What are the long-term consequences for children and communities who do not eat a healthy diet?
What kinds of meals/snacks do you prepare for your child?
How can you budget the cost of meals?
What community resources can help you meet your family nutritional needs?