Nutritional Needs Of Women Vs Men

Have you ever considered just how different your diet should be compared to a man? We’re all told to eat a healthy, balanced diet, and while this is true, our bodies are very different, and we need to take that into account. While we know men typically require more calories than we ladies, our nutritional needs can be very different. 

Both men and women require an adequate intake of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, but the portions will vary. For example, men typically require more protein to support muscle maintenance and growth, whereas we may prioritise a slightly higher intake of healthy fats for hormone regulation and reproductive health. 

These numbers will vary by age but this is the standard recommended daily intake for an adult.

Going off the recommended daily intake of macronutrients, men generally need a little more of everything except salt! The primary reason for this is because they’re typically larger, but when it comes to micronutrients like certain vitamins and minerals, often times we ladies need more!

An adequate intake of vitamins and minerals is essential in maintaining overall health, and there are quite a few that ladies need more of.

1. Iron: We lose a little bit of blood when we’re on our period — something men will never have to worry about! Iron is a very important mineral in general, but women need it more than men for a few reasons. 

2. Vitamin D: We need more vitamin D than men do because we’re at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Find out how to get more without the sun!

3. Calcium: The reason we need more vitamin D in the first place is because it plays a pivotal role in calcium absorption. We have lower bone density than men, so not only are we at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, we’re more at risk for fractured bones too. 

Although there are micronutrients that men need more of, there is one in particular that simply benefits us more, and that mineral is magnesium!

Just like Vitamin D and calcium, magnesium is vital in bone formation and density, so to lessen our chances of developing osteo and fractures, you should be watching your magnesium levels too. 

Even though the population of men and women is roughly equal, most health and physiology research are still conducted on men! Somehow, they are still the default subjects for medical research. So if you’re interested in doing your own research on nutrition, be wise with your searches because we have very different needs!