Pregnancy - It is very important that we pay attention to what kind of nutrition our bodies need at all stages in life. The first stage of life is when a baby is in its' mothers belly. At this point in life, it is the job of the pregnant mother to pay attention to the food, vitamins and the exersize they provide for their own bodies in order to take proper care of the baby they are carrying. While pregnant, the nutritional needs of a person will increase. Some mothers think this just means that they need to eat more because they are feeding two, but this is not really the case. The amount of food is not necessarily the thing that should be increasing, but the nutrients and vitamins should increase. In the first trimester there is not a need for an increase in food, but mothers should eat a balanced healthy diet, and take the reccomended vitamins. The mother has to stop all intake of alcohol or cigarrettes as these are things that can really cause issues with the pregnancy and development of the new baby. During the second trimester the mother should take in about 340 more calories than before. In the third trimester, they should take in about 450 more calories from healthy foods so that the body is strong enough to develop the baby. A well balanced diet, and foods from all of the food groups are very important as this is where we get our vitamins, energy and nutrients.
Infants - It is important to breat feed a baby until about 6-12 months becuase this is the best form of nutrients and vitamins. According to the FAO, "There is now overwhelming evidence of the health advantages of breastfeeding as indicated by lower infant morbidity and mortality than for bottle-fed infants." (http://www.fao.org/docrep/W0073E/w0073e03.htm#P1188_158364). This can help the baby grown and develop. Around 6 months, the baby can also have juice but we have to be sure that we only give them small amounts - about 6 ounces each day. Sometimes babies will overeat, and we have to ensure that we don't let this happen.
Childhood - Young children need about 1800 calories - and these calories should consist of the 5 basic food groups, and should also remain healthy with plenty of fruits and veggies. It also helps to get them used to eating well so they keep that mindset going into adulthood. When I have children, I will try and get them into eating healthy foods. This is something I wish I was taught at a young age so that I would not have such a hard time now.
Adolescense - Eating a nutritious diet is also important for a teenager. Teenagers usually have a higher metabolism, and they need to be sure to eat a balanced diet, and remain active. Teens can be taught eat the right way just like the children can. This would help them eat better in adulthod as well. If they do not, they could risk getting diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other chronic diseases that are directly impacted by nutrition decisions.
Adulthood - According to FAO, "Older people, like all others, need a good diet that provides for all their nutrient needs." (http://www.fao.org/docrep/W0073E/w0073e03.htm#P1188_158364). It is important for us to eat a well balanced diet, and intake the proper vitamins and nutrients. we ned to drink plenty of water, and milk to keep our body hydrated and strong. Adults need to pay attention to what they eat and develop good habits. Snacks should be small portions, and consist of things like fruit or veggies. As with everyone else, they need to avoid foods gigh in trans fat and calories, and avoid junk foods.
Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2011). Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies (12th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/W0073E/w0073e03.htm#P1188_158364
No comments:
Post a Comment