What are the nutritional needs of a lactating woman compared to those of a pregnant woman?

Lactating women have increased nutritional needs compared to pregnant women, particularly because breastfeeding requires additional energy and nutrients to support both maternal health and milk production. During lactation, a woman's caloric needs can increase significantly, typically by about 500 calories per day. This increase supports the production of breast milk, which has a high energy content.

In addition to the increased caloric intake, lactating women also require sufficient amounts of certain nutrients such as protein, calcium, and fluids to maintain their own health and facilitate milk production. While the recommendations for calcium may remain similar to those during pregnancy, the overall need for energy and several key nutrients is elevated during lactation to ensure the mother has adequate resources for breastfeeding.

This is why the answer indicating that lactating women need more calories while maintaining the same needs for calcium, protein, and fluids is the most accurate choice. It reflects the increased energy demands of breastfeeding alongside the established dietary recommendations that remain consistent from pregnancy to lactation for certain nutrients.