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8 1.1 Nutritional Requirements

to produce energy. Many under-fives and Sodium plays a key role in fluid balance and
adolescents do not eat enough iron in their diet, maintaining blood pressure and is necessary to
and anaemia due to iron deficiency is fairly maintain growth in children. Sodium is found in
common among these two age groups in the UK. several foods but the main source is in salt, which
It causes tiredness, delayed growth and is used to preserve some foods and added to
development and more illness as iron is also part enhance flavour in most processed food. Too
of the immune system. Poor appetite is another much salt can raise blood pressure in older
consequence; this can create a vicious circle as children and adults, creating a higher risk of heart
less iron will be eaten by a child with a poor disease, but there is no evidence of harm in
appetite. See page 147 for more information on younger children. Children eating a lot of
iron-deficiency anaemia. processed snack foods and ready meals, which all
have added salt, may exceed the recommendations
Iron in food is found in two forms: on salt/sodium intake published by the Scientific
Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) in
●● haem iron which is readily absorbed – good 2003, as listed in Table 1.1.3.
sources are red meat such as beef, lamb and
pork, dark poultry meat such as chicken legs and Table 1.1.3 Salt/sodium intake
thighs, and oily fish recommendations

●● non-haem iron which is poorly absorbed unless Daily recommended Reference
vitamin C is present – good sources of non-haem maximum intake Nutrient
iron are eggs, pulses, nuts, fortified breakfast (SACN 2003) Intake
cereals, dried fruit and some vegetables. (Department
Age Salt Sodium of Health
Magnesium is also involved in the process of 0–3 months (g/day) (g/day) 1991)
converting food into energy as well as building 4–6 months
bone and protein production. The best sources are 7–9 months 1 0.4 Sodium
wholegrain bread and breakfast cereals, milk and 10–12 (g/day)
yogurt. Other good sources are meat, eggs, pulses months 1 0.4
and some vegetables. 1–3 years 0.21
4–6 years 1 0.4
Phosphorus forms the main structure of bones 7–10 years 0.28
along with calcium. It is found in milk but unlike 11+ years 1 0.4
calcium it is also found in most other foods, so 0.32
children usually have plenty in their food. 2 0.8
3 1.2 0.35
Potassium plays a key role in fluid balance, 52
muscle contractions and proper nerve function. 6 2.4 0.5
The best sources are milk, fruit, vegetables, cocoa
and chocolate. 0.7

Selenium is an antioxidant and plays a role in the 1.3
production of the thyroid hormone as well as
energy production. The best sources for children 1.6
are bread, meat, fish, eggs and other foods made
from flour. Brazil nuts and cashew nuts are The SACN recommendations are not evidence
particularly rich. based, are very difficult to achieve and are only
slightly above the recommended intake expressed
The amount of selenium in the soil determines as the Reference Nutrient Intake.
how much is in the food grown on that soil.
Selenium levels in UK soil are on the low side Zinc helps wounds to heal and is part of the
compared to those in the United States where levels immune system. In children it is important for
are higher. growth as it is part of two hormones – growth
hormone and insulin. The best food sources are
meat, fish, milk and eggs. Bread and breakfast
cereals are also good sources.