Since most types of food contain a variety of minerals, there is no reason to set a standard for the actual amount in daily food portions, especially the so-called trace minerals.
However, for the essential minerals, you should know which foods contain what quantity of minerals. This is especially so of the foods containing calcium, phosphorous, and iron.
You will see the minimum daily requirement for each of the three: calcium, phosphorous and iron. Calcium and phosphorous are required by the growing child in even greater quantities than is needed by the adult.
Calcium, phosphorous and iron ; all three, should be supplied in above normal amounts to the expectant and nursing mother. Broken bones and dental decay should be cause for greater consumption of foods with calcium and phosphorous.
Excessive menstral flow, or accidental loss of blood, indicates a greater need for iron foods, or some form of iron in capsule or tablet.
So that you may vary your foods in such a manner as to serve your mineral needs, you will find the chart lists the normal requirement for calcium, phosphorous and iron; also what foods contain these necessary minerals and the quantity of food necessary to obtain them.