The purpose of the master's thesis was to evaluate the contribution of fruits and vegetables to the intake of elements with whole-day meals in six kindergartens over a period of one week. In accordance with the Guidelines (Gregorič et al., 2023), we designed a one-week (intervention) menu with selected fruits and vegetables (IO). The menu was prepared in four kindergartens, where we sampled the meals. We also sampled one week's whole-day meals in two control kindergartens (KO). The nutrients observed were water, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, K, Zn, and Na (salt). The intakes of elements with whole-day intervention (IO) and control meals (KO) were compared with each other and with the recommendations (NIJZ, 2020). We also compared the values determined by chemical analysis and those estimated by the Open Platform for Clinical Nutrition (OPEN) and confirm significant differences in the content of Ca, Mg, and Fe. The average content of daily intake of Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Na was significantly higher in IO than in KO. Intakes of elements with IO were more consistent with the recommended values of 75% of daily intake than with KO. The average intake of Cu and Mn was higher with IO and adequate with KO according to the recommendations. The average intake of Mg, K, and Zn was higher than recommended, both with IO and with KO. The average intake of Fe was higher with IO and slightly lower with KO than the recommended value. Average Ca intake with both meal types was lower than recommended. In all kindergartens, we found an excessive Na content in whole-day meals, which is the result of excessive use of salt in the preparation of meals and the inclusion of certain foods (bread, cheese). From OPEN assessments, we checked the contribution of selected fruits and vegetables to the content of elements in meals. A significant difference between IO and KO was found only for Na, where the contribution of fruits and vegetables to the total content of this element in IO was greater than in KO. Fruits and vegetables contributed from 2.9% (KO) and 6.6% (IO) of total Na in meals, up to 52.4% K in IO and KO, and 52.4% (IO) and 53.7% (KO) of total Mg.
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