A person’s nutrient needs may change for a variety of reasons, but the most influential is stage-of-life. In this discussion, you will examine two stages of life chosen from the following:

• Infancy
• Childhood
• Adolescence
• Adulthood
• Older adulthood
• Pregnancy and Lactation

For your initial post, address the following:

1. Identify the two life stages of life you will discuss and list their names in the title of your initial post.
2. Research and describe the current nutrient recommendations for the life stages you selected.
3. Suggest foods that would be beneficial for each of the life stages you selected and explain why.

Review the posts made by your classmates, and reply to at least two. Suggest at least one additional food to consider for each of the life stages they discussed. Provide the rationale supporting your recommendations.

Should you wish to provide your initial or response posts with data or research found, be sure to utilize proper APA formatting and cite your resources.

Review the posts made by your classmates, and reply to at least two. Suggest at least one additional food to consider for each of the life stages they discussed. Provide the rationale supporting your recommendations.

Should you wish to provide your initial or response posts with data or research found, be sure to utilize proper APA formatting and cite your resources.

Due dates for your initial and response posts can be found by checking the Course Syllabus and Course Calendar.

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Responses (1)

Use this space to start a discussion!

Make an initial post to start a discussion. Participants can add responses and replies.

SAMANTHA ZEHRUNG

7/17/21,

Infancy:

Current nutrient recommendations: Proper nutrition is crucial in the first 2 years of life due to the important growth and development periods.

Breast milk is marked as the most important source of nutrition but if not available, formula can be an alternative. The minerals/nutrients that are necessary include: Calcium to help build strong bones and teeth, Fat not only creates energy but is stored for temperature control and used for brain, skin, hair development. Fat also is involved in infection protection. Folate is also a very important part of an infant’s diet because it primary helps in cell division. Iron is necessary to assist red and white blood cells but also brain development. Iron is readily found in formulas but those that are breast fed are normally required to have an iron supplement. Protein and carbohydrates are necessary in any life stage simply because if its ability to provide fuel and energy to the body. Zinc is able to provide necessary abilities to cell growth and repair. All of the vitamins: A, B, C, D, E, K are necessary for healthy body functions such as vision, immunity, absorption properties, protection against cell failure, and to assist in blood clotting.

If any of the above vitamins/minerals/nutrients are lacking the infant’s ability to grow and form may be hindered.

Foods that would be beneficial for this life stage: For about the first year of an infant’s life breast milk or formula is a core nutrient to the infant’s diet. Once an infant around 6 months old pureed solids can be introduced to incorporate more of the necessary nutrients such as pureed vegetables or fruits.

-Pregnancy and Lactation:

Current nutrient recommendations: During the time of carrying a growing fetus and after while providing for a child. Per the CDC a pregnant or breastfeeding mother need to increase their intake to roughly 300-500 additional calories a day. The nutritional needs necessary to not only provide for yourself but also for a growing child includes: Calcium playing an important role for maintaining healthy bone and teeth, but also assisting in the cardiovascular, nervous and muscular systems. Carbohydrates, which provide energy, to help the body support growth and development. Folic acid primarily assisting the growth and development for the fetus/child. Fats also to assist with energy, and provide the fetus/child’s body with development and growth. Iodine which provides assist to they thyroid and hormones. Iron helps prevent iron- deficient anemia. Protein not only help provide energy and maintain a women’s muscular system but help build a fetus’s muscles, bones, and tissues. Vitamins A, B, C, D are also necessary to help maintain the women’s body and grow the fetus/Child’s body.

Foods that would be beneficial for this life stage: Proteins such as chicken, beef, pork, but limiting seafood during this time due to mercury levels found could be harmful to a growing fetus. Carbohydrates such as grains and potatoes to help provide necessary energy needed. Fruits and veggies rich in necessary vitamins such as A, B, C and some leafy green veggies that are high in iron. A Prenatal vitamin will assist in consumption of folate.

References:

Breastfeeding Nutrition. (2021, July 16). Retrieved July 17, 2021, from https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/breastfeeding/nutrition-during-breastfeeding/

Slideshow: What to Feed Your Baby in Year 1. (2018, October 14). Retrieved July 17, 2021, from https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/start_baby_solid_foods

Maternal Diet. (2020, October 08). Retrieved July 17, 2021, from