Nutrients are the components that are in the food that helps the body to grow, have strength and be strong.

Different nutrients are found in different food groups.

The Nutrients found in food are:

1. Carbohydrates.
2. Fats and oils.
3. Proteins.
4. Vitamins.
5. Minerals.

These nutrients perform different functions in the body.

Carbohydrates

These give the body energy to function, work, and play.

They are found in energy-giving foods, for example, ugali and rice.

 

Proteins

Proteins help in bodybuilding, growth, and repair of the body.

They are found in bodybuilding foods like meat and fish.

 

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins help in protecting the body against diseases.

They also help the body to heal fast.

Vitamins are found in protective foods like vegetables and fruits.

 Minerals help in forming strong bones and teeth.

Examples of minerals are iron, calcium and phosphorous.

 

Fats and oils

These provide the body with energy which provides warmth.

Fats may be gotten from various foods like nuts, fruits, and animal products.

 

Water and fibres

Water is very essential in the body and should be taken every day.

One needs to take six to eight (6-8) glasses of water every day.

Water can be taken plain or in fruits like oranges.

Fibres are found in vegetables.

They are also called roughages.

Water and fibres help in digestion and in making it possible to pass stool.

A meal that has carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats and oils, water and fibres is called a balanced diet.

Nutritional requirements for special groups

Some people in the home may have special problems and therefore may need special handling when it comes to the diet or meals.

Such groups, for example, are:

• People with HIV/ AIDS
• Pregnant and lactating mothers, who need special diets.

 

Pregnant mothers

Pregnant mothers are a special group since they carry offspring in their wombs.

Pregnant mothers need to eat food that caters for two:

the child in the womb and herself.

The two also require different nutrients in different amounts.

 

• In the first stages of breast feeding, colostrum produced by the mother help to fight diseases like measles from the child.
• Breast milk is highly digestible, ever ready and at the right temperature and does not cost much.
• Once in a while the baby should be given fresh fruit juices to provide minerals and vitamins to supplement those in breast milk.

Nutritional requirements for a pregnant mother

• Lots of proteins to build body parts of the unborn child and for growth and repair of mother’s tissues for example the womb.
• Proteins are also needed for making milk to breast feed the child.

• An expectant mother should take at least half a litre of milk every day.
• Lots of carbohydrate to give energy for movement and for working of body parts because she is heavier than usual.

However, too much of carbohydrates are dangerous because she might become overweight and suffer from obesity which may complicate birth.

• Carbohydrates are also needed for the energy of the child who needs to move and turn in the womb.

 

• A pregnant mother also needs fresh fruits and vegetables to provide minerals and vitamins for both the baby and herself to keep away diseases.

 

• For example, a pregnant mother needs iron for making the child’s blood.
• Foods rich in calcium such as milk and eggs are important for forming teeth and bones in the growing baby.

 

• The diet of the pregnant mother should be served with plenty of drinking water and fresh fruit juices.

She should take at least two litres of liquids per day.

Lactating mothers

A lactating mother is a breast feeding mother.

She needs a special diet to cater for her needs and to her help produce sufficient breast milk to feed and satisfy the new born baby who fully relies on breast milk.

Let’s look at the nutritional requirements for a lactating mother.

A lactating or breastfeeding or nursing mother needs a diet with:

• Proteins, especially milk which will help her to make milk for breastfeeding the child.
• Proteins assist her to make COLOSTRUM (the first milk produced by a mother after birth), which the child gets from the milk.

Colostrum helps to protect the child from diseases.

  • Proteins help the mother to build and repair tissues that were affected by pregnancy and birth.

  • Fats and carbohydrates: the lactating mother needs a diet with carbohydrates to provide energy for her to breastfeed the baby, move around and for the body to do its normal functions.

Infants

An infant is a child between birth and two years.

This is a small child who might not be able to feed on the normal family meal because the digestive system is not developed enough to cope.

The infant may also have no teeth.

What are the nutritional requirements for an infant?

 

1. Breast milk is the best food for an infant since it forms a whole meal.

Milk is a balanced diet as it contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins.

It also has lots of water, which the infant needs.

• As the baby grows, cow’s milk and solid food such as porridge can be introduced a little at a time.

These provide more proteins for body building and growth, and carbohydrates for energy for movement and body functions.

• They need proteins for body building and repair because they need more cells to grow.