What Are the Nutritional Needs for Different Age Groups?

by | Jul 18, 2018 | Fitness

As a human grows from infancy to childhood, teenage years, and adulthood, there are different nutritional needs required by the body. It’s important to be aware of these things to keep your body healthy and happy, no matter what life stage you are in. We’ll look at the basic nutritional needs in this article to give you a great place to start.

Basic Needs

Everyone, no matter their age, requires several nutrients. Here are some of the things you should consume to ensure those things:

  • Broad variety of foods
  • Daily water consumption
  • Carbohydrates for energy
  • Fatty acids from fish and nuts
  • Appropriate protein for cell repair and maintenance
  • Water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins
  • Minerals like zinc, calcium, and iron
  • Foods with phytochemicals, which protect from heart disease, arthritis, and some cancers

Infancy

Children who are six months of age or younger do best with a diet exclusively of breast milk. While children may begin solid foods at around this time, breast milk should be the main food consumed until the child is a year old. Formula can substitute in situations where breast milk is unavailable.

Preschoolers and Toddlers

For children of this age, nutrition in Manalapan, NJ, dictates that you offer a diet of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. You should allow the child to eat as often as they are hungry, which may vary depending on the child.

School-Age Kids

Children in the U.S. are threatened by overnutrition in most cases, which means consuming more than is needed for growth. Work to provide an environment where fresh vegetables and fruit are abundances, as they provide many vitamins. Calcium, folic acid, and vitamin E can be low so offer enriched grains and low-fat dairy products.

Adults

Adults have varied needs for nutrition in Manalapan, NJ, which is based on health status, activity levels, and gender. A diet that is balanced with vegetables, fruits, proteins, unrefined grains, and healthy fats is the basic requirements. It’s also important to get appropriate exercise to burn calories and avoid health issues like diabetes and heart disease.

Older Adults

With a decline in the physical activity done by older adults, less calories are required. However, there is a need for more vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, vitamin B6, and calcium.

If you are looking to learn more about your nutrition needs, consider contacting us at The Max Challenge. We offer a 10-week fitness class that includes nutrition information and will put you on the way towards great health. To learn more, visit us .

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