Nutritional Recommendations Across the Lifespan

Nutritional Recommendations Across the Lifespan

 

Nutrition plays an extremely important role in a person’s health and well-being through each stage of the life cycle. Each of the life cycles, pregnancy, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood each vary in recommendations and dietary guidelines. Good nutrition is obviously hugely significant in the ability for a fetus to grow and develop at an optimum level. Lack of proper nutrient during pregnancy can lead to a number of health concerns for the baby and mother including low birthweight or high birthweight. In fact, “during pregnancy a woman’s nutrient needs increase more for certain nutrients than for others”, therefore women should be educated on how to eat while they are pregnant (Sizer & Whitney, 2014). Ideally women will have healthy eating habits before pregnancy to provide the ideal environment for a baby to grow. According to the NICE expecting moms shouldn't be told to "eat for two" during pregnancy, because it could set them up to fight obesity for the rest of their lives if that becomes their mentality (Diamond, 2010). During infancy nutrients are so important because the infant grows faster during the first year than ever again and many medical and professional organization shine a light on the research that shows breastmilk is the best way to provide a newborn all the nutrition it needs, as well as the other benefits it provides (Sizer & Whitney, 2014). Once a mom introduces real food, it’s important to feed them fresh fruits and vegetable without adding salt or sugar because then they will not learn to love the natural flavors of food and will most likely continue a life of not wanting to eat fruits and vegetables because they are addicted to the flavor additives used in processed foods that also lack the nutritional value to support their rapidly developing body and mind. Throughout childhood children continue to develop mentally and physically and need to have a well-balanced, and nutritious diet while also getting a good amount of physical activity every day. Adolescents, teens, eat a lot of food, and the choices they make during these years impact them daily and long term as well (Sizer & Whitney, 2014). Teens  require increased levels of iron and calcium, but all can benefit from diets made up of mostly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Adults continue to need certain nutrients to operate at an optimum level. All of our nutrition choices make an impact on our bodies not only in the short term, but in the long term as well. Lack of proper nutrients and habitual eating habits that include consuming high sugar, high fat, and processed foods can cause multiple chronic illnesses that can be avoided by consuming a nutritious diet.

 

 

References

 

Diamond, A. (2010).  Advice on eating for two should go beyond pregnancy.  Nursing Standard, 25(1), 28.  Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

 

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2013).  Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies (13th ed.).  Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.