Children Nutritional Needs Change Throughout the Life Cycle

Objectives: Identify the changing nutritional needs across the life cycle.Identify the changing nutritional needs across the life cycle.

Family Life Cycle Good family meal planning must respond to the different nutritional needs of individual members who are at different stages of the Family Life Cycle.Good family meal planning must respond to the different nutritional needs of individual members who are at different stages of the Family Life Cycle. The life cycle means the various stages of life that people pass through from birth to old age. As you progress through your life cycle, your nutrition requirements change. Besides age, your level of activity and your state of health can affect your nutrition requirements. At some times in your life, you will probably have to make some changes in your food selections to meet special needs.The life cycle means the various stages of life that people pass through from birth to old age. As you progress through your life cycle, your nutrition requirements change. Besides age, your level of activity and your state of health can affect your nutrition requirements. At some times in your life, you will probably have to make some changes in your food selections to meet special needs.

The stages do not occur in exactly the same way in all families. Some families can be in two stages at one time. For example, the same family could be living with an adolescent and launching an older child. The stages of the Family Life Cycle descriptions:The stages of the Family Life Cycle descriptions: Married couples without childrenMarried couples without children Childbearing families (oldest child, birth to 30 months)Childbearing families (oldest child, birth to 30 months) Families with preschool children (oldest child, 2.5 to 6 years)Families with preschool children (oldest child, 2.5 to 6 years) Families with children (oldest child, 6 to 12 years)Families with children (oldest child, 6 to 12 years) Families with teenagers (oldest child, 13 to 20 years)Families with teenagers (oldest child, 13 to 20 years) Families as launching centers (first child gone to last child’s leaving home)Families as launching centers (first child gone to last child’s leaving home) Families in their middle years (empty nest to retirement)Families in their middle years (empty nest to retirement) Aging familiesAging families

Because we have much more knowledge about families and about nutrition, we need to consider both for the well-being of each family member.Because we have much more knowledge about families and about nutrition, we need to consider both for the well-being of each family member. Follow the recommendations from both the food pyramid and the dietary guidelines.Follow the recommendations from both the food pyramid and the dietary guidelines. Many health problems are linked to nutrition.Many health problems are linked to nutrition. Exercise is important throughout the life cycle.Exercise is important throughout the life cycle.

Preschool Children Sweets should be limited in a preschool child’s diet; nutrient-rich foods can be used to satisfy hunger.Sweets should be limited in a preschool child’s diet; nutrient-rich foods can be used to satisfy hunger. After the age of one, a child’s growth rate slows and with it, the appetite;After the age of one, a child’s growth rate slows and with it, the appetite; Children develop tastes for certain foods at an early age.Children develop tastes for certain foods at an early age. The eating habits and attitudes children learn are likely to last a lifetime. It is important to start healthy eating habits early.The eating habits and attitudes children learn are likely to last a lifetime. It is important to start healthy eating habits early.

Some suggestions to help encourage young children to eat a variety of foods are: Invite a friend to eat; you’ll be amazed how much they eat when their friends are eating.Invite a friend to eat; you’ll be amazed how much they eat when their friends are eating. When introducing a new food, refer to it as a grown-up food. Serve it to the child only if he or she requests it after seeing how much you enjoy it.When introducing a new food, refer to it as a grown-up food. Serve it to the child only if he or she requests it after seeing how much you enjoy it. Serve young children’s meals on their own small- sized dishes. Give them tiny servings, so they can have satisfaction of eating everything on the plate.Serve young children’s meals on their own small- sized dishes. Give them tiny servings, so they can have satisfaction of eating everything on the plate..

Some suggestions to encourage young children to eat a variety of foods are: Serve finger foods often. Children like to choose from a variety of foods, as in a buffet.Serve finger foods often. Children like to choose from a variety of foods, as in a buffet. Children will usually eat the foods they have helped prepare.Children will usually eat the foods they have helped prepare. Vary meal situations - picnic in front of the fireplace, park, etc.Vary meal situations - picnic in front of the fireplace, park, etc. Children usually prefer raw vegetables to cooked.Children usually prefer raw vegetables to cooked. Avoid making dessert a reward for vegetable eating.Avoid making dessert a reward for vegetable eating. Relax and let mealtime be a time for everyone to enjoy.Relax and let mealtime be a time for everyone to enjoy. Use snacks to improve food habits.Use snacks to improve food habits.

Some children need snacks Some children have the capacity to go easily from one meal to the next without hunger.Some children have the capacity to go easily from one meal to the next without hunger. Others actually experience real hunger within two to three hours after eating, especially if they are growing rapidly.Others actually experience real hunger within two to three hours after eating, especially if they are growing rapidly. If no nutritious snack is offered, this hunger may eventually be satisfied by soft drinks, candy, or other non-nutritious food.If no nutritious snack is offered, this hunger may eventually be satisfied by soft drinks, candy, or other non-nutritious food. Timing is important; a snack should be offered when children are hungry but not so close to mealtime that it spoils their appetites for the next meal.Timing is important; a snack should be offered when children are hungry but not so close to mealtime that it spoils their appetites for the next meal.

Children Follow the recommended number of servings and serving sizes for children.Follow the recommended number of servings and serving sizes for children. Serving sizes/portions for children are smaller than adults.Serving sizes/portions for children are smaller than adults. Need a variety of nutrient-dense foods in small frequent amounts.Need a variety of nutrient-dense foods in small frequent amounts. Expose to new and a wide variety of foods.Expose to new and a wide variety of foods. Introduce new foods one at a time.Introduce new foods one at a time. Taste buds are very sensitive.Taste buds are very sensitive. Avoid sweet foods as snacks.Avoid sweet foods as snacks. Make foods interesting and inviting for children; color, texture, shape, size and temperature.Make foods interesting and inviting for children; color, texture, shape, size and temperature.

Children Menu and Aesthetic Values Menu week: _____ Day of the Week: _______ Food Item ColorTextureSizeShapeTemp. Pan Cake Brown Or. Juice Orange SausageBrown Choc Milk Brown ToastBrown Summary: Color is mostly brown; more colors could be used. Texture is all soft; something crunchy should be added.

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