Zinc intakes of lactating and nonlactating women: analyzed vs. calculated values

The zinc intake of a group of 23 lactating and 13 nonlactating postpartum women was assessed longitudinally from 37 weeks' gestation through six months postpartum. Dietary zinc was determined by chemical analysis of three-day duplicate food and beverage composites and by calculation of three-day records. There was no significant difference between the analyzed and calculated values for daily zinc intake. Both groups of postpartum women consumed 42% or less of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for zinc. To attain the RDA within present food selections, both groups of postpartum women would need to eat unreasonably high amounts of calories and protein.