M1 – Discuss similarities and differences in the nutritional and energy requirements of
two groups of individuals.
In this assignment, I will be discussing the nutritional and energy requirements of pregnant women and young
children. I will then compare and explain the similarities and differences of both.
Pregnant women; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/vitamins-minerals-supplements-pregnant/
Pregnant women have specific nutritional requirements. Extra folic acid should be taken during pregnancy to
prevent spina bifida, especially in the first 3 months. Moreover, 400 mcg of folic acid should be taken from before
pregnancy until 12 weeks, women that have a higher risk of developing neural defect during pregnancy are advised
to take 5mg of folic acid a day. They have an increased risk if they or their partner has neural tube defect, their
previous pregnancy was affected by neural tube defect, they or their partner has a family history of neural tube
defect, or if they have diabetes. The department of health suggests that pregnant women should take vitamin D
supplements containing 10 mcg of vitamin D to help regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the body, which are
needed for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. However, vitamin A supplements should not be taken during
pregnancy as it contains retinol which can harm the baby. Foods that contain a lot of folate should be consumed, this
is the natural form of folic acid. Additionally, pregnant women should consume 27 mg of iron per day during
pregnancy, in order to make extra blood for the mother and baby. Vitamin C protects cells and helps to keep them
healthy, pregnant women should consume 85mg per day. Calcium is vital for making the baby's bones and teeth. The
developing baby will take as much calcium as it needs and may leave the mother deficient so extra calcium must be
taken, the recommended amount is 1200-1400 mg per day. This is why women have more dental treatment during
pregnancy and a year after giving birth. Lastly, pregnant women should not consume soft and blue vein cheeses,
pate, unwashed raw fruit and vegetables, raw or uncooked meat, unpasteurised goats' milk or goats' cheese, and
liver. They should also not consume more than four tins of tuna per week as tuna contains traces of mercury which
can be harmful for the baby.
Furthermore, pregnant women have specific energy requirements. An extra 200 calories a day should be consumed
in the last 3 months of pregnancy. During the first trimester, 1800 calories should be consumed per day, during the
second trimester 2200 calories should be consumed per day, and during the third trimester 2400 should be
consumed per day. Additionally, folic acid can be found in dark green vegetables such as spinach (23 kcal per 100g),
legumes (81 kcal per 100g) and lentils (116 kcal per 100g). Vitamin D can be found in a small amount of foods so
supplements may have to be taken, containing 10mcg of vitamin D. However, the foods that do contain vitamin D
are salmon (142 kcal per 100g), beef (250 kcal per 100g) and eggs (155 kcal per 100g). Moreover, folic acid can be
found in beans (347 kcal per 100g), bread (265 kcal per 100g), and pasta (131 kcal per 100g). Foods that contain iron
include nuts (607 kcal per 100g), breakfast cereals (379 kcal per 100g), and broccoli (34 kcal per 100g). Vitamin C is
found in oranges (47 kcal per 100g), potatoes (77 kcal per 100g), and strawberries (33 kcal per 100g). Lastly, sources
of calcium include milk (42 kcal per 100g), tofu (76 kcal per 100g), and soya milk (54 kcal per 100g).
Young children; https://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritionscience/life/880-preschoolchildren.html
Young children have specific nutritional requirements. They require a lot of nutrient dense foods, which consist of
nutrients such as protein, vitamins and minerals. On average, young children should consume 16 g of protein per
day. These are important because they are essential for healthy growth and development. Also, young children
should consume small and frequent meals. They require 700-1300 mg of bio-available calcium per day, because it is
important for bone development and consists of other nutrients. They should eat about 5 portions of starchy foods a
day. They require iron, zinc, vitamin D and B vitamins in their diets. The RDI is 5 mg for zinc and 7 mg for vitamin D.
Furthermore, young children must consume foods and drinks rich in vitamin C because they help the body absorb
iron, the RNI of vitamin C is around 25 mg. This is important for children who are vegetarian because it is harder to
get iron from plant-based foods than animal products. The daily recommended amount of salt/ sodium for young
Unit 21-M1
two groups of individuals.
In this assignment, I will be discussing the nutritional and energy requirements of pregnant women and young
children. I will then compare and explain the similarities and differences of both.
Pregnant women; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/vitamins-minerals-supplements-pregnant/
Pregnant women have specific nutritional requirements. Extra folic acid should be taken during pregnancy to
prevent spina bifida, especially in the first 3 months. Moreover, 400 mcg of folic acid should be taken from before
pregnancy until 12 weeks, women that have a higher risk of developing neural defect during pregnancy are advised
to take 5mg of folic acid a day. They have an increased risk if they or their partner has neural tube defect, their
previous pregnancy was affected by neural tube defect, they or their partner has a family history of neural tube
defect, or if they have diabetes. The department of health suggests that pregnant women should take vitamin D
supplements containing 10 mcg of vitamin D to help regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the body, which are
needed for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. However, vitamin A supplements should not be taken during
pregnancy as it contains retinol which can harm the baby. Foods that contain a lot of folate should be consumed, this
is the natural form of folic acid. Additionally, pregnant women should consume 27 mg of iron per day during
pregnancy, in order to make extra blood for the mother and baby. Vitamin C protects cells and helps to keep them
healthy, pregnant women should consume 85mg per day. Calcium is vital for making the baby's bones and teeth. The
developing baby will take as much calcium as it needs and may leave the mother deficient so extra calcium must be
taken, the recommended amount is 1200-1400 mg per day. This is why women have more dental treatment during
pregnancy and a year after giving birth. Lastly, pregnant women should not consume soft and blue vein cheeses,
pate, unwashed raw fruit and vegetables, raw or uncooked meat, unpasteurised goats' milk or goats' cheese, and
liver. They should also not consume more than four tins of tuna per week as tuna contains traces of mercury which
can be harmful for the baby.
Furthermore, pregnant women have specific energy requirements. An extra 200 calories a day should be consumed
in the last 3 months of pregnancy. During the first trimester, 1800 calories should be consumed per day, during the
second trimester 2200 calories should be consumed per day, and during the third trimester 2400 should be
consumed per day. Additionally, folic acid can be found in dark green vegetables such as spinach (23 kcal per 100g),
legumes (81 kcal per 100g) and lentils (116 kcal per 100g). Vitamin D can be found in a small amount of foods so
supplements may have to be taken, containing 10mcg of vitamin D. However, the foods that do contain vitamin D
are salmon (142 kcal per 100g), beef (250 kcal per 100g) and eggs (155 kcal per 100g). Moreover, folic acid can be
found in beans (347 kcal per 100g), bread (265 kcal per 100g), and pasta (131 kcal per 100g). Foods that contain iron
include nuts (607 kcal per 100g), breakfast cereals (379 kcal per 100g), and broccoli (34 kcal per 100g). Vitamin C is
found in oranges (47 kcal per 100g), potatoes (77 kcal per 100g), and strawberries (33 kcal per 100g). Lastly, sources
of calcium include milk (42 kcal per 100g), tofu (76 kcal per 100g), and soya milk (54 kcal per 100g).
Young children; https://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritionscience/life/880-preschoolchildren.html
Young children have specific nutritional requirements. They require a lot of nutrient dense foods, which consist of
nutrients such as protein, vitamins and minerals. On average, young children should consume 16 g of protein per
day. These are important because they are essential for healthy growth and development. Also, young children
should consume small and frequent meals. They require 700-1300 mg of bio-available calcium per day, because it is
important for bone development and consists of other nutrients. They should eat about 5 portions of starchy foods a
day. They require iron, zinc, vitamin D and B vitamins in their diets. The RDI is 5 mg for zinc and 7 mg for vitamin D.
Furthermore, young children must consume foods and drinks rich in vitamin C because they help the body absorb
iron, the RNI of vitamin C is around 25 mg. This is important for children who are vegetarian because it is harder to
get iron from plant-based foods than animal products. The daily recommended amount of salt/ sodium for young
Unit 21-M1
