The more active one is, the more energy is needed. An extra 300 calories each day is required to meet the needs of the growing fetus during pregnancy. One tool used to plan a well-balanced diet is The Basic Four Food Groups plan. The Basic Four Food Groups plan, shown in Table 1, is organized so that foods with similar nutrients are placed in the same group. Eating at least the recommended number of servings from each of the groups is an easy way to meet needs for vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Variety is also important.
These foods should be used in small amounts when desired. The Basic Four Food Groups can also be used as a starting point for those who are watching their caloric intake. Eating only the recommended number of servings from each group provides about 1200 calories. Iron Functions in the Body Iron is called a trace element because such a small amount, only one-tenth of a teaspoon, is found in the whole body. One important role of iron is in red blood cells, where it carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.