We all need
nutrients throughout our lifespan although the types and amounts change
depending upon ones age and/or special needs.
For example, someone with diabetes needs to control ones carbohydrates
another example is more on a personal note.
My oldest son has Down Syndrome, hirschsprungs disease, celiac, and food
sensitivities due to a leaky gut. For
him he has a lot of digestive and bowel issues as well as a weakened immune
system therefore his nutrient needs are different than the average person such
as a larger amount of fiber and no dairy.
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Now that we have
discussed the fact that there are specific circumstances where individuals need
different nutrients based upon ones special needs, lets now discuss the need of
nutrients in the typical person throughout all of ones life span. For a woman who is pregnant she needs to
receive not only the proper nutrients and calories for herself but also for the
growing life inside. The digestive
tract, respiratory system, and kidneys of the mother along with the placenta
provides the growing baby with all the nutrients, hormones, and antibodies that
it needs to grow and develop (Sizer, & Whitney, 2017, p. 518). During each trimester the baby needs to receive
adequate nutrition from the mother if he/she is going to grow and develop both
mentally and physically during this time (Ramanaz Shahid, & Alam, 2012). For example, if the mother is not receiving
the proper amount of nutrients during the first trimester when the heart,
brain, spine, and lungs are developing then the developing baby may not grow
and develop properly, leading to mental and/or physical disabilities. A pregnant mother needs to increase her
supply of several nutrients including calcium and protein however, for this
post we will only discuss a few needed nutrients. During pregnancy the mom-to-be needs to
increase ones iron supply due to the rapid development of the baby’s blood
supply and the growing mother, often times this is done through supplementation
and should be taken with some type of vitamin C in order to help with
absorption (The Pregnancy Diet: Iron-Rich Foods, n.d.). Folic acid is needed both before and after
conception in order to protect the baby from neural tube defects and to
increase the absorption of vitamin B12 while fatty acid is also needed in the
brain growth, development, visual, cognitive, growth, body mass, and in the
building of the baby’s immune function (Prenatal nutrition is the vital first
step in an infant’s nutritional journey through life, 2011). Like pregnancy a mothers who nurses her
infant needs to make sure she still receives the necessary nutrients needed for
herself and that of her infant. For the
first full year of ones life he/she can receive all the nutrients he/she needs
through his/her mother so long as the mother is taking in the proper nutrients
such as vitamin A, D, and calcium.
During the early
childhood to middle childhood years the calorie needs change especially during
the times of major growth spurts. Children
tend to burn a lot of energy therefore the need to increase energy containing
foods is important. These types of foods
can be found in fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. Furthermore, like all individuals these
growing children also need an adequate amount of protein, fiber, carbohydrates,
fats, vitamins, and minerals. However,
unlike adults children need to consume more calories and amounts in protein,
fiber, carbohydrates, and fats than adults.
For example, the DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) recommends 26 grams of
fiber for girls and 31 grams for boys ages nine to 13 (Sizer, & Whitney,
2017a, Table 14-2).
During the
“adolescent growth spurt big growth and hormonal changes are happening which
affect every organ of the body including the brain” because of this the
nutrients and calorie needs of individuals very and everyone is different
(Sizer, & Whitney, 2017b, p. 574).
That being said, both adolescent boys and girls may need to increase
ones intake of iron, calcium and vitamin D due to the hormonal and growth
changes.
The need for
vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates does not lessen in
adulthood and the elderly but rather depend upon ones activity, hormone levels,
and health needs. One may need to
address ones intake of these micro and macronutrients. For example, some women facing hormonal
changes (such as high estrogen levels) may need to increase ones iron and vitamin
D3 consumption while decreasing the intake of estrogenic foods. Good nutrition is key to preventing chronic
illness and diseases throughout ones lifespan.
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References
Prenatal
nutrition is the vital first step in an infant’s nutritional journey through
life. (2011). Professional Nursing Today,
15(6), 46. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=30ef4c41-1f49-439e-b675-2adc207f16f8%40sessionmgr4008&vid=10&hid=4208
Ramanaz
Shahid, A., & Alam, A. (2012). Pregnancy and nutrition. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science,
11(4), 267-272. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=8&sid=30ef4c41-1f49-439e-b675-2adc207f16f8%40sessionmgr4008&hid=4208&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#AN=84604276&db=a9h
Sizer,
F., & Whitney, E. (2017). Nutrition: Concepts and controversies (14th
ed). Cengage Learning: OH. Retrieved
from VitalSource Bookshelf
The
pregnancy diet: iron-rich foods. (n.d.). Pregnancy. What To Expect. Retrieved from http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/eating-well/pregnancy-diet/iron-food.aspx
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