Dietary Needs Per Age Group
Your body has various dietary needs depending on your age. Getting the proper dietary recommendations for daily intake can mean the difference between feeling sluggish and temperamental to feeling vivacious and ready to meet any challenge that comes your way.
Little adjustments in your vitamin, mineral, protein, and carbohydrate intake can help your mind and your body function at optimum efficiency. Below are the various life stages and corresponding nutritional needs from infancy to full maturity.
Dietary Needs Per Age Group:
Infancy
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, infants receive their appropriate amounts of nutrition from breast milk. It minimizes their risk of certain health issues including the following:
• Allergies.
• Ear Infections.
• Lower Respiratory Infections.
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
With breast milk, babies are able to grow and develop properly. At six months, parents are then able to introduce solids to their infants while keeping breast milk as the basis of their dietary needs.
Once the child reaches one year, infant formula can replace breast milk when it is convenient.
Toddlers
A child who is in the toddler or preschool age group will experience a change in their dietary needs. Many experience a lower appetite level at the beginning of their second year.
Toddlers and preschoolers will eat as they are hungry, naturally regulating their dietary consumption. Be sure to provide a healthy selection of fruits and vegetables for kids in this age group. Whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins are very beneficial in helping them fulfill dietary recommendations. Processed food containing high levels of sugar, salt, and additives should be avoided.
Adolescents
As obesity continues to gain momentum for our children, parents are encouraged to provide only food options that promote good health. This also pertains to serving size. As nationwide servings grow as fast as our waistlines, children are at risk of over-nutrition. This can be quite unbalanced for children who are expanding their width faster than their height.
Parents are encouraged to provide meals containing natural ingredients such as fresh fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and low-fat dairy products. These are excellent sources of much-needed vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Adults
Depending on age, gender, health, and lifestyle, an adult may have different dietary needs.
Over-nutrition and over-eating can be a big problem for adults, resulting in obesity, heart disease, stroke diabetes, and osteoarthritis. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, proteins, healthy fats, and unrefined grains can give people in this age group a well-balanced diet.
Some physicians may recommend adults take a supplement to add any vitamins and minerals that may be missing from their diets. Daily exercise is also important to maintain optimum health.
Those with sedentary professions need to work out, making sure they burn consumed calories.
Mature Adults
Physical activity tends to decline in more mature adults. Muscle mass lessens, as does caloric intake.
However, doctors and nutritionists advise mature adults to take their vitamins and minerals as the dietary need is vital for healthy bodies. Calcium, vitamin B6, and vitamin D all play an important role in nutritional health. Fruits, vegetables, and high-quality, lean protein keep the muscles strong and supple for a lifetime of activity.
If you are interested in learning more about your body’s needs, consult your doctor or nutritionist.
They can make dietary recommendations according to your age group and lifestyle.
Those were the dietary needs per age group, are you following-up with yours?
