Comparison of Type A and nutrient standard menus for school lunch. I. Development of the nutrient standard method (NSM).

Methodology was developed for planning school lunch menus which meet a specific nutrient standard. The method considered nine indicator nutrients plus calories and percentage of calories coming from fat. The nutrient composition of approximately 625 school lunch menu items were calculated using Agriculture Handbook No. 8 data. All nutrient data were converted to bead units which were summed on an abacus until the meal requirements were met. Preliminary testing of the method showed it to be usable by school lunch menu planners and provided menus meeting certain minimal nutrient constraints. After the test, suggested modifications were incorporated into the method to enhance its use. The method is described and a sample week's given.