Nutrition life cycle

• A "nutrition life cycle" refers to the study of how nutritional needs change and
adapt throughout a person's lifespan, from conception through infancy, childhood,
adolescence, adulthood, and old age, with each stage requiring different levels of
specific nutrients to support optimal growth, development, and health; essentially,
it examines how dietary requirements vary based on the different phases of life
Key points about the nutrition life cycle:

• Varying needs:

• While humans require the same basic nutrients throughout life, the quantity and
specific needs for certain nutrients change depending on the life stage, like
increased protein needs during pregnancy and calcium needs in older adults.

• Growth phases:

• Infancy, childhood, and adolescence are considered periods of rapid growth,

requiring higher calorie intake and specific nutrients for proper development of
bones, muscles, and organs
Cont..

• Pregnancy and lactation: These stages have unique nutritional demands to

support both the mother's health and the developing fetus, with a focus on
adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals.

• Adult maintenance: In adulthood, the focus shifts towards maintaining a

balanced diet to support overall health and prevent chronic diseases, with calorie
needs generally stabilizing.
• Aging considerations: As people age, their metabolism slows down, often
requiring fewer calories and a focus on nutrient-dense foods to address potential
deficiencies related to absorption or dietary restrictions.
Some important aspects of studying the nutrition life cycle include:

• Nutrient requirements: Identifying the specific amounts of essential vitamins,

minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fats needed at each life stage.

• Dietary patterns: Examining the typical dietary habits of different age groups
and how they might affect health outcomes.

• Common nutritional concerns: Recognizing potential deficiencies or excesses in

nutrient intake that can arise at different life stages, like iron deficiency in young
women or vitamin D deficiency in older adults.
The Human Life Cycle

• The human body constantly develops and changes throughout the human life
cycle, and food provides the fuel for those changes. The major stages of the
human life cycle include pregnancy, infancy, the toddler years, childhood, puberty,
older adolescence, adulthood, middle age, and the senior years. Proper nutrition
and exercise ensure health and wellness at each stage of the human life cycle
Pregnancy and Nutrition

• During pregnancy, it is imperative that a woman meet the nutritional needs both
she and her unborn child require, which includes an increase in certain
micronutrients, such as iron and folate. Starting BMI determines how much
weight a woman needs to gain throughout her pregnancy. In an average
pregnancy, a woman gains an extra 30 pounds. During the second and third
trimesters, a woman’s energy requirements increase by 340 calories and 450
calories per day for the second and third trimesters.
 What is nutrition, and why is it important during pregnancy?

• Nutrition is about eating a healthy and balanced diet so your body gets the
nutrients that it needs. Nutrients are substances in foods that our bodies need so
they can function and grow. They include carbohydrates, fats, proteins,
vitamins, minerals, and water.

• When you're pregnant, nutrition is more important than ever. You need more of
many important nutrients than you did before pregnancy.

• Making healthy food choices every day will help you give your baby what they
need to develop It will also help make sure that you and your baby gain a healthy
amount of weight.
Do I have any special nutritional needs now that I am pregnant?

• You need more folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D than you did before
pregnancy:

• Folic acid is a B vitamin that may help prevent neural tube defects.

• Before pregnancy, you need 400 mcg (micrograms) per day.

• During pregnancy and when breastfeeding, you need 600 mcg per day from foods
and/or vitamins. It is hard to get this amount from foods alone, so you will most
likely need to take a supplement that contains folic acid.
• Iron is important for your baby's growth and brain development. During pregnancy,
the amount of blood in your body increases, so you need more iron for yourself and
your growing baby. You should get 27 mg (milligrams) of iron a day.

• Calcium during pregnancy can reduce your risk of preeclampsia. It's a serious
medical condition that causes a sudden increase in your blood pressure. Calcium
also builds up your baby's bones and teeth.

• Pregnant adults should get 1,000 mg (milligrams) of calcium a day

• Pregnant teenagers (ages 14-18) need 1,300 mg of calcium a day

• Vitamin D helps the calcium to build your baby's bones and teeth. All women,
pregnant or not, should be getting 600 IU (international units) of vitamin D per day.

• Keep in mind that taking too much of a supplement can be harmful. For example, very
high levels of vitamin A can cause birth defects. Only take vitamins and mineral
supplements that your health care provider recommends.

• You also need more protein when you are pregnant. Healthy sources of protein include
beans, peas, eggs, lean meats, seafood, and unsalted nuts and seeds.

• Getting enough fluids is another special nutritional concern during pregnancy. When
you are pregnant, your body needs even more water to stay hydrated and support the
life inside you. So it's important to drink enough fluids every day
Calorie that you needed when you are pregnant

• How many calories you need depends on your weight gain goals.

• Health provider can tell you what your goal should be, based on things like your
weight before pregnancy, your age, and how fast you gain weight. The general
recommendations are:
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• In the first trimester of pregnancy, you probably do not need extra calories

• In the second trimester, you usually need about 340 extra calories

• In the last trimester, you may need around 450 extra calories per day

• During the final weeks of pregnancy, you may not need extra calories

Keep in mind that not all calories are equal. You should eat healthy foods that are
packed with nutrients - not "empty calories" such as those found in soft drinks,
candies, and desserts.
 PREGNANCY: Foods to Avoid
• Foods associated with foodborne illness:

• Rare or undercooked meat & poultry; raw seafood

• Deli meats

• Smoked seafood

• Raw eggs

• Soft cheeses

• Unpasteurized milk

• Unwashed fruits & veggies

• Seafood high in mercury

• Caffeine (<200mg daily)

• Alcohol
Cont..

• Pregnant women are advised to avoid many foods due to their association with
foodborne illnesses that can cause miscarriage or other complications.

• Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby, which could
lead to infection or blood poisoning and may be life-threatening.

• Unwashed fruits & vegetables could also be contaminated with pesticide residues
 LACTATION: Calories & Nutrients

• Breastfeeding burns up to 500 calories daily

• Increase calorie intake from nutrient-dense foods as recommended by dr.

• Consume a varied diet to introduce new flavors to baby

• Lactating women need more:

• PROTEIN

• WATER

• 2 quarts daily

• Consider soups, fruit juices, etc.

• VITAMINS & MINERALS

•
 LACTATION: Foods to Avoid
• Excessive caffeine

• Seafood high in mercury

• Processed foods or foods high in additives

• Alcohol

• High consumption of caffeine during lactation is linked to irritability and restlessness in

infants; moderate caffeine intake is advised.

• Alcohol may be secreted into breast milk and then consumed by the baby, causing
developmental problems. Infants have immature organs that do not break down drugs as
rapidly or efficiently as adults do
 LACTATION: Why breastfeed?

• Benefits of Breastfeeding

• FOR MOM

• FOR BABY

• Promotes bonding

• Faster return to pre-pregnancy weight

• Best meets baby’s nutritional needs over time

• Saves money & time spent buying & preparing formula

Cont…

• Enhances immune system

• Reduces environmental waste from formula bottles & cans

• Easier to digest than formula

• Reduces frequency of allergies and infections

• May reduce risk for osteoporosis, breast/ovarian cancers

• May reduce future risk for chronic diseases such as obesity & diabete