Getting older is is a natural process, and knowing how to nourish yourself as the years progress is key. The best way to deal with physical changes is to first accept that your body is changing and then adopt a healthy eating plan that will fight off disease and maintain natural biological function.
Infant to Toddlers
Infants find the most balanced nutrition in breast milk. When a mother is unable to breast feed for physical or emotional reasons, formula can mimic the vital nutrients found in the mother's milk. According to WebMD.com, Ronald Kleinman, M.D., a professor at Harvard Medical School, says that the move to solid foods happens usually between 4 to 6 months. Fat intake isn't as critical at this point, as rapidly growing toddlers need fat in their diets. However, on WebMD.com, Alice Lichtenstein, director of the Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory at Tufts University School of Medicine, suggests limiting saturated fats and not loading up on high-caloric foods, as toddlers' caloric needs are not too high. Because kids' needs differ so vastly, it may be difficult to determine what is essential for your child. Consider activity level when determining your child's nutritional needs. Children in this stage of life are growing rapidly and need enough calories to support biological processes. However, because of the abundance of fatty, sugar and salt laden foods, it might be a struggle for parents to get their children to eat foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats. Still, a parent's influence early on does make a difference in the food choices a child makes well into adulthood. Also, make sure your child is eating a healthy breakfast, particularly on high in calcium; by the age of 9, a child's calcium needs increase in response to bone growth.
Teens
Teen years are difficult years. Teens' bodies are developing into adult bodies, and nutrition choices may be negatively influenced by peers. This includes going to fast food restaurants and drinking sodas because peers do, or the complete opposite of not eating at all to be skinny. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, teenagers need 1,300 mg of calcium a day because of rapid bone development. Iron needs increase as well, particularly for girls.
Adults
Adult health is generally the result of earlier development. For example, bone density is determined by how rich a person's diet was in calcium in his teen years. Adult diets should focus on fulfilling what is deficient and include food that aids in anti-aging and that lowers risks of disease. Bradley Willcox, M.D., MPH, a professor of geriatrics at the University of Hawaii, says on WebMD.com: "The most beneficial diets rely heavily on fresh vegetables, fruits, and legumes; foods that are naturally lower in calories and packed with nutrients." After a lifetime, free radicals in the body may cause cancer and other disease. That is why it is important to fill up on antioxidants as those found in berries and green tea. Also maintain a caloric intake that is based on an individual's body type and lifestyle.
Seniors
Much like infants and toddlers, when a person enters his elderly years, caloric needs decrease. Seniors are able to sustain on few calories because they don't live active lives. This could be because of aging limbs and wear, tear on joints and cartilage and disease, just to name a couple. Cutting calories and loading up on antioxidant foods are recommended for seniors to maintain physical function and fight off disease well into their years.
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