Textbook Problem

Ms. Lederman, a healthy 32-year-old woman entering her thirteenth week of pregnancy, asks her doctor for a referral to a dietitian to discuss her vegan diet. She receives the referral, and while making an appointment with the nutrition consulting service, she is asked to record her food intake for 3 days prior to the appointment. Ms. Lederman follows the instructions she was given and carefully completes a 3-day food record. Prior to the appointment, she sends her food record to the dietitian she will be seeing.

  During the appointment, the dietitian learns that Ms. Lederman started pregnancy at normal weight, has gained 3 lb so far in pregnancy, has no history of iron or another nutrient deficiency, and is experiencing a normal course of pregnancy. Ms. Lederman has been a vegan since the age of 16, and although she believes it is good for her health, she worries that her baby may not be getting the nutrients she or he needs. Ms. Lederman wears sunscreen whenever she goes outside, so she makes little or no vitamin D in her skin. She makes sure to combine plant sources of protein (usually dried beans and grains), so she’ll consume complete sources of protein every day.

  Results of the dietary analysis performed by the dietitian showed the following average calorie and nutrient intake levels:

  Kcal: 2237

  Protein, g: 71

  Linoleic acid (n-6 fatty acids), g: 15.2

  Alpha-linolenic acid (n-3 fatty acids), g: 0.54

  Vitamin B₁₂, mcg: 2.1

  Vitamin D, meg: 3 (120 IU)

  Zinc, mg: 15

Questions

1.    Is Ms. Lederman consuming enough protein?

Summary Introduction

To explain: Whether Person L is consuming enough protein.

Introduction: The diet of a pregnant woman influences her as well as her infant’s health. The amount of calories that a pregnant woman must consume is dependent on the amount of weight gain required. However, the nutrient intake is determined by the recommendations of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). Therefore, an appropriate diet fulfilling the above recommendations should be taken.

Explanation of Solution

Person L is a 32-year-old healthy woman who follows a vegan diet since the age of 16. She consulted a dietician during her thirteenth week of pregnancy to discuss about her diet. A three-day food record prior to the appointment was also presented to the dietician. The dietician interpreted that she gained 3 lb during pregnancy with no iron or nutrient deficiency and she lacks vitamin D as she wears sunscreen whenever going outside. Person L also ensures to combine plant sources of protein, usually dried beans and grains in her diet. A detailed dietary analysis was then performed on her. Her average caloric intake is 2237 kcal and her nutrient intake levels were 71 g protein, 15.2 g linoleic acid, 0.54 g α-linolenic acid, 2.1 mcg Vitamin B₁₂, 3 mcg vitamin D, and 15 mg zinc.

There is an established set of guidelines under Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) to support the nutritional requirement of pregnant women. As per recommendations, the daily dietary allowance of proteins required by a pregnant woman is 71g, which is met by Person L as per her dietary evaluation. Therefore, it can be said that she is consuming enough proteins in her diet.