The meal provided in mid-day meals program should supply every day:
**Core Concept**
The mid-day meal program aims to provide a nutritious meal to school-going children to combat hunger, improve attendance, and enhance cognitive function. The meal should meet the daily nutritional requirements of the children, ensuring they receive the necessary calories, proteins, vitamins, and minerals for growth and development.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The daily meal should provide approximately 450-500 calories, which is roughly a third of the total daily energy requirement for a child. This amount of energy is essential for supporting their physical activity, growth, and maintenance of body functions. The meal should also contain a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to meet the energy needs and provide essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option does not specify the correct amount of calories, which is essential for meeting the daily energy requirements of the children.
* **Option B:** This option is incomplete and does not provide any information about the amount of calories or nutrients required in the meal.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect as it does not specify the correct amount of calories or the balance of macronutrients required in the meal.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The mid-day meal program aims to improve the nutritional status of school-going children, which can lead to improved attendance, better academic performance, and reduced malnutrition-related health problems. The meal should be designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of the children, taking into account their age, sex, and physical activity level.
**Correct Answer: C.**