Men versus women nutritional needs (UK guidelines) |
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Energy requirements tend to be higher for men as they tend to be heavier with greater muscle mass than women with lower levels of fat. Women tend to have a higher percentage of body fat which is important for reproduction and to make female hormones in the body. Muscle is metabolically active and therefore requiring energy, whereas fat is not metabolically active which is the reason for gender differences. Energy requirements will vary depending on someone’s body size, age, gender, occupational activity levels and also energy used in physical activity. If an individual is very active then their energy requirements will be much higher.
The following tables give generic nutritional guidelines taken from the department of health dietary reference guidelines for adult between the ages of 19-59 years of age based on the majority of the UK population having inactive lifestyles.
The following tables give generic nutritional guidelines taken from the department of health dietary reference guidelines for adult between the ages of 19-59 years of age based on the majority of the UK population having inactive lifestyles.
Value |
Male |
Female |
Based on average weight |
74 kg |
60 kg |
Total energy per day |
2,500 kcals |
1,940 kcals |
Fat |
Less than 95 g |
Less than 70 g |
Saturated fat |
Less than 30g |
Less than 20g |
Protein |
55 g |
45 g |
Carbohydrate |
300 g |
230 g |
Salt |
Less than 6 g |
Less than 6 g |
The UK Food Standards Agency issues guidance on dietary recommendations on behalf of the Department of Health for the general public. The current government recommendations are outlined in the table
Dietary Recommendations
Dietary Recommendations
- Total Fat Reduce to no more than 35% of food energy (currently at 35.3%)
- Saturated Fat Reduce to no more than 11% of food energy (currently at 13.3%)
- Total Carbohydrate Increase to more than 50% of food energy (currently at 48.1%)
- Sugars (added) No more than 11% of food energy (currently at 12.7%)
- Dietary Fibre (NSP) Increase the average intake of dietary fibre to 18g per day (currently 13.8g per day). Children’s intakes should be less
- Fruit & Vegetables Increase to at least 5 portions (400g) of a variety of fruit and vegetables per day (currently 2.8 portions per day)
- Alcohol Should not provide more than 5% of energy in the diet.
- Women – should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units of alcohol/day
- Men – should not regularly drink more than 4-5 units of alcohol/day
- Salt Adults – no more than 6g salt a day (2.4g sodium)
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Tags: 5 portions, alcohol, Fruit and vegetables, metabolism, Nutrition
Tags: 5 portions, alcohol, Fruit and vegetables, metabolism, Nutrition