New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 9 - HUMAN RIGHTS
Chapter 2 - AGE
Part 18 - NUTRITION SERVICES
Section 9.2.18.7 - DEFINITIONS

A. "Congregate meals" are meals provided to eligible individuals in a group setting and which must meet recommended dietary allowance requirements and comply with dietary reference intake standards.

B. "Dessert" includes, but is not limited to, pudding, custard, plain or fruited gelatin, baked goods, ice cream, ice milk, yogurt, sherbet, other frozen desserts and ethnic desserts. If gelatin or other desserts contain at least half (1/2) cup serving of fruit, they also meet the fruit requirement.

C. "Dietary Reference Intake Standards" are a set of guidelines for the daily intake of vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, fibre and other nutrients and food components that include recommended daily allowances, adequate daily intake values, and tolerable upper level values of daily intake.

D. "Guest" is an individual under the age of sixty (60) who is not eligible for meals funded by the Older Americans Act.

E. "Fats" include, but are not limited to, fortified margarine, gravy, mayonnaise, or salad dressing necessary to increase palatability and acceptability of a meal. Low fat or fat-free varieties are recommended.

F. "Homebound" means an individual who has difficulty leaving home without assistance because of a disabling physical, emotional or cognitive impairment.

G. "Home delivered meals" are meals delivered to the homes of eligible homebound individuals which must meet recommended dietary allowance requirements, and comply with dietary reference intake standards.

H."Meat" includes, but is not limited to, poultry, fish, game, red or white meat; it shall not include cured or processed meat high in fat or sodium more than two (2) times per month.

I."Meat alternates"

includes, but is not limited to, eggs, cheese, soy and legumes (cooked dried beans and peas, lentils). One (1)-half cup cooked legumes is equivalent to one ounce of meat. Legumes may be counted as either a meat or a vegetable.

J."Milk" includes, but is not limited to, skim milk, two percent (2%) milk, whole milk, low fat chocolate milk and buttermilk fortified with vitamins A and D.

K."Nutrition professional" includes home economists, nutritionists and registered dietitians.

L."Nutrition service provider" is a contractor selected by an area agency on aging to provide congregate or home-delivered meals in a specified geographical location(s).

M."Recommended dietary allowance" or "RDA" is the average dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of ninety eight percent (98%) of healthy individuals in the U.S. The RDA as referenced in this section is for older adults.

N."Staff" may include employees, volunteers, and others engaged in work related to the operation of nutrition programs.

O."Standard breakfast meal pattern" (when served in combination with a lunch) includes two (2) servings of bread or cereal, one (1) half cup serving of fruit or fruit juice, and eight (8) ounces low fat milk; and may include one (1) teaspoon of fats. When served without a lunch, the breakfast shall include one (1) ounce of cooked edible portion of meat or meat alternates.

P."Standard lunch meal pattern" includes three (3) ounces meat or meat alternates, two (2) half cup servings of vegetable(s), one (1) half cup serving of fruit (a minimum of three (3) times per week), one (1) or more serving(s) of whole grain or enriched bread, eight (8) ounces of low fat milk, one (1)-half cup of dessert (optional if fruit is served), and may include one (1) teaspoon of fats.

Q."Therapeutic diet"

is a diet prescribed by a physician or other primary care practitioner, as part of treatment for a disease, clinical condition or metabolic disorder, to eliminate, decrease or increase specific nutrients. Liquid formula meals are considered therapeutic diets and must meet therapeutic diet requirements. A "no sugar added" or "no sodium added" meal is not bound by therapeutic diet requirements.

R."Variance" is the difference between the number of meals prepared and the number of meals served, expressed in a percent.

S."Vegetables" include, but are not limited to, red or green chile. Rice or pasta may not be counted as a vegetable.

T."Whole grain or enriched bread or bread alternate" means biscuits, muffins, rolls, sandwich buns, corn bread, tortillas, wheat breads and ethnic breads. The use of whole grain products is strongly encouraged. Alternates include, but are not limited to, rice, barley, bulgur, pasta, dumplings, pancakes, waffles, and high fber/vitamin fortified cereals with no added sugar. Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, green peas, corn or legumes may not be counted as bread.