Investigate Special Dietary Needs

Pregnancy  To reduce the risk of certain birth defects, pregnant women need to eat foods high in folic acid  (Folic acid can be found in foods such as spinach, parsley, broccoli, lettuce, lima beans, turnip greens, asparagus and beef liver)  Pregnant women need to increase their intake of vitamins and minerals

Childhood  Eating habits and attitudes toward food are established during childhood  Regular meals teach good eating habits

Adolescents  Protein is particularly important for adolescents as it builds and repairs body tissues while they are growing

Food Allergies  People with food allergies need to carefully read food labels to avoid eating products containing what they are allergic to  Symptoms of food allergies include itchy rash, nasal congestion, and diarrhea

Lactose Intolerance  A person experiences gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea if they eat dairy products

High Blood Pressure  People with high blood pressure should eat a diet low in sodium

Cancer  To reduce the risk of some types of cancer, eat a diet that contains fresh foods and vegetables  Avoid highly processed foods

Diabetes  When a person has diabetes, their body is unable to use carbohydrates.

Osteoporosis  A condition in which a person has brittle bones, usually from not consuming enough calcium

High Blood Cholesterol  High blood cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease

Seniors  As people age, their metabolism slows down so they require fewer calories

Athletes  An athlete should eat 3 -4 hours before competition  Athletes should eat complex carbohydrates to provide their bodies with enough energy to compete  To prevent dehydration, athletes should drink extra water