Meals for people at different stages
| Group | Special needs | Suitable foods |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0–6 months) | Breast milk only: complete food, with antibodies | Exclusive breastfeeding |
| Children (6 months–5 years) | Energy, protein, iron, vitamin A; small stomachs need 5–6 small meals | Breast milk plus enriched uji, mashed beans, eggs, fruit, vegetables |
| Adolescents | Rapid growth: energy, protein, iron (especially girls), calcium | Balanced meals, milk, beans, meat or fish, green vegetables, fruit |
| Expectant mothers | Extra energy (about 300 kcal), protein, iron, folic acid, calcium, iodine | Beans, green vegetables, liver, milk, fruit, iodised salt |
| Lactating mothers | Extra energy (about 500 kcal), protein, calcium, fluids | Extra milk, porridge, fish, vegetables, plenty of water |
| Invalids (sick people) | Easily digested, nourishing, appetising food in small amounts | Soups, porridge, steamed fish, mashed fruit, juices |
| Elderly | Fewer calories, fibre, calcium, vitamin D, soft food | Soft well-cooked food, vegetables, milk, fish |
Complementary feeding
After six months breast milk alone no longer gives enough, so complementary foods are introduced, one at a time, and breastfeeding continues up to two years or more. Foods must be clean, soft and rich in energy and protein, with no added salt or sugar.
Protein requirements
Worked exampleProtein for a child
A child of mass 15 kg needs 1.2 g of protein per kg. How much protein is that, and how many eggs (6 g each) would supply it?
- Protein.
- Eggs.
Answer: The child needs 18 g of protein, the same as 3 eggs.
Try itProtein needs
Choose the body mass and the group.
Key terms
- Complementary food
- Food given with breast milk after six months.
- Exclusive breastfeeding
- Giving only breast milk for the first six months.
- Lactating
- Producing breast milk.
- Invalid
- A sick or disabled person.
Summary
- Needs change through life: infants, children, adolescents, mothers, invalids and the elderly.
- Breastfeed exclusively for six months and then add complementary foods.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers need extra energy and nutrients.
- Protein need = mass × protein per kg.