Do the nutritional needs differ at every stage and age? And how?
Babies, children, and teenagers have special nutritional requirements to grow, develop, and stay active. Nutrition plays an important role in the prevention of many chronic diseases as we age, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. We have nutritional needs at every stage of our lives.
Nursing mothers
Folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, iron, and omega-3 fatty acid DHA are among the most important nutrients to consume while pregnant because they play an important role in the development of the baby. It is always preferable to get as much of these nutrients from whole foods as possible, but if this is not possible, consult with your health care provider or registered dietitian about the appropriate amount to supplement in your diet.
Babies
Breast milk or infant formula provides all the nutrients that babies require at the start of their lives. Solid foods should be introduced around six months of age and should be prepared in a way that is safe for infants to consume. These solid foods should be high in vitamins and minerals, particularly iron. Iron-rich foods for babies include infant cereals, puréed beans, and finely minced fish and meat.
Children
Children need a wide variety of nutritious foods to grow and develop, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and lean meats. Water is essential for our bodies to function properly, so children should drink plenty of it every day. The more they are encouraged to try new foods, the more likely it is that they will maintain a healthy diet later in life.
Teenagers
Teenagers require a well-balanced diet. The body of a teenager is preparing to become an adult. They must provide adequate fuel to their bodies for them to continue growing and changing. Teenagers must develop healthy eating habits that will serve them well in adulthood. All five food groups should be represented in meals. Teenagers should strive for health goals such as eating at least five different fruits and vegetables per day. Teens, particularly girls, should also consume enough calcium through dairy products such as low-fat milk, yoghurt, and cheese. Teenagers should consume six to eight glasses of water per day.
Adults
As people enter adulthood, they must develop healthy eating habits by eating a variety of nutritious foods. They should limit their intake of fat, sugar, and salt while increasing their intake of iron and calcium-rich foods. Concentrate on nutrition and living a physically active and healthy lifestyle. This will help reduce the risk of obesity, age-related diseases, and lifestyle-related diseases.
Seniors
When people get older, they require fewer calories but as many nutrients to keep healthy. A wide range of foods should be eaten, which are dense and not rich in calories, by senior citizens. You should also ensure that you consume enough fiber, reduce your salt consumption, and receive a lot of Vitamin D.
We are growing at all stages of our lives, so we need to eat a healthy, varied diet that is high in nutrients and energy. Bananas, fish, and brown rice are examples of nutrient-dense foods. However, there are times during our development when we may require more of a specific vitamin or nutrient. Furthermore, as we grow from babies to teenagers, the amount of food we require increases steadily.
As we have seen they are different nutritional needs for different age groups. This is where we are bringing in our experienced nutritionist at our pediatric clinic in UAE can be a huge benefit to you and your family. We recommend you keep in touch with us throughout the process to craft the best and most nutritious diet for all age groups.
