Nutritional Requirements

Pregnancy through Adulthood

The nutrition recommendations and dietary guidelines for each of these stages according to Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies (Sizer & Whitney, 2013) are:

• Pregnancy:  The energy needs rises as pregnancy progresses and caloric intake needs to rise as well.  Increased amount of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals are needed especially in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.  Food such as whole grains, dark greens, vegetables, legumes, citrus, fruit, and fiber are important in the development of a healthy baby.  
• Infancy:  A infants diet will affect development later in life.  Their eating habits are carried with them throughout life.  An infant's weight doubles by 5 months and triples by 1 year and their basic metabolic rate is high so energy nutrients, vitamins and minerals critical to growth such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D and calcium are needed.  Breast milk or formula provides these needs until a child is introduced to solid foods such as iron-fortified cereals and baby foods (pp 533-539).          
• Childhood :  Since children grow fast especially the second year of life a diet high in nutrients is needed to support healthy and proper development.  A one year old child needs about 800 calorie a day while the calorie intake double to 1,600 at age 6.  By the age of 10 years a calorie intake of 1,800 calories is needed.  If a balanced diet is eaten then the vitamin and mineral intake will be met with the exception of flouride, Vitamin D and iron.   Flouride may need to be given to children with flouride-poor water while Vitamin D is mostly met  through fortified milk, juices, cereals as well as other fortified foods and equal to 15 micrograms daily.  Iron is harder to meet and a child requires 7-10 milligrams daily.  Iron rich foods such as cream of wheat, tortillas, mixed vegetables, raisins, and peanut butter and jelly to name a few (pp. 556-557).  
  
• Adolescence:  The adolescence years is another critical time in life for healthy eating since there are growth spurts and the need for iron, calcium, and Vitamin D are high (pp. 570-572).  According to Nutrition MD (2014), "The Institute of Medicine recommends higher intakes of protein and energy for growth in the adolescent population.  For most micronutrients, recommendations are the same as for adults.  Exceptions are made for certain minerals needed for bone growth (eg, calcium, phosphorus)" (para. 5).                                                      
  
• Adulthood:   How a person eats in early adulthood affects the quality of life in later years.  An individuals nutrient needs change and vary in adulthood due to genetics and health issues.  Energy needs decrease with age although protein needs remain the same throughout life.  Carbohydrates and fiber become more important in later years as well as Vitamin A, Vitamin D and B12.  Healthy fats are needed as well as adequate water and minerals such as iron, zinc, and calcium (pp. 576-580).

Reference:

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