How Do Our Diets Change As We Age?

As we get older, our eating habits change and develop – as babies, we require different nutrients compared to those as we enter old age. So what is it about our diets that define our key life stages? As babies, up until the age of six months, we don’t require any solid food. Some babies are allergic to the cow’s milk in formula milk, but your GP will be able to suggest an alternative if this is the case. In order to get the most amount of nutrients in your baby’s diet, breastfeeding is advised – this will give your baby all the vitamins and minerals they need before they move on to solid food, a process known as weaning. Once this stage has been reached, you can gradually introduce new textures and flavours into your baby’s diet. It’s important that you don’t add salt to a baby’s meal, as their kidneys aren’t developed well enough to cope with it. The same can be said of honey, until they are one year old, as there are come varieties which contain bacteria that can be harmful to younger digestive systems.

Children develop very quickly, and it’s for this reason that they need plenty of energy and nutrients in order to grow healthily. Toddlers can’t cope with large portions, so they need smaller snacks which are healthy and give them plenty of vitamins and minerals. This may be chopped fruit or carrot sticks. Dairy is important as well, as their bones will be growing and will need the calcium to stay strong. This can be sourced from milk, cheese and yoghurt – children under the age of 5 should be given whole milk and full-fat dairy to give them the extra energy boost. They should have a varied diet in order to ensure they get all the nutrients they need – this means plenty of fruit and vegetables, protein and whole grains. It will also help to avoid children going through the dreaded ‘fussy’ phase.

Teenagers need even more nutrients and energy than children, as their bodies are going through growth spurts and hormonal processes. Teens tend to stock up on junk food and fizzy drinks, but during this important stage it’s important that they eat a diet that’s packed with vitamins, minerals and protein to keep their energy levels high. Body image is an issue for many teenagers, as their bodies are changing, but this can be combated with staying healthy, doing plenty of exercise, and maintaining a positive self image.

As adults, we don’t go through many dietary or nutritional changes unless pregnant or breastfeeding. Adults should ensure that they have plenty of fibre-rich foods, lean protein, and fruit and vegetables to stay healthy. Calcium, as with other stages of life, is important for healthy bones, and a small amount of healthy fats. Our metabolism decreases as we get older, so it’s likely that older people will do less exercise. This means that it is normal for older people to perhaps start eating slightly less. It’s still important that the main food groups are included in your diet though, to ensure that the body has all it needs to stay healthy, as well as plenty of calcium for strong bones. Older people sometimes find it difficult to cook, or find themselves less motivated to do so, so nutritious ready meals and quick-to-prepare dishes are a handy way to make sure you don’t skip meals. There are also services, such as meals on wheels, which can help those who don’t feel able to cook for themselves anymore.