The "Optimized Mixed Diet": Evaluation of a food guide system for children and adolescents

The "Optimized Mixed Diet" (OMD), a preventive dietary conception for children and adolescents, defines age-specific dietary intakes based on the OMD food group scheme. Here, the OMD was evaluated by combining this food group scheme with the current food selection of children and adolescents, assessed by 3-day-weighed dietary records. To reach an adequate nutrient intake, at the first step, the current food group amounts were modified to reach the OMD food group scheme, particularly by increasing the amounts of food of vegetable origin. The second step then only needed a slight modification of the current food selection, particularly a change to lower fat dairy products,leaner meat products, and wholewheat breads. The results demonstrate that nutrition counseling should stress the OMD food group scheme and a specifically improved food selection.