Eating Right for Your Personal Nutritional Needs
It’s National Nutrition MonthⓇ, friends—a perfect time to learn more about good nutrition!
But instead of discussing more common topics, like the nutritional benefits of the different food groups and why you need to start eating more greens, The Prescription Shop team would like to take this opportunity to approach nutrition from a fresh angle: eating right for your unique nutritional needs.
There is no one-size-fits-all diet that meets everyone’s different dietary needs. That’s why the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests making food choices based on your lifestyle.
However, in addition to considering your lifestyle when making food choices, it’s also important to consider other factors—such as your age, gender and health conditions.
Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional needs of women, people with diabetes, and older adults, specifically.
Women’s Nutritional Needs
Because it’s also Women’s History Month, it’s a fitting time to shed a light on women’s special dietary needs and how they differ from men’s.
It’s no secret that men are built larger and tend to have higher metabolisms; for that reason, women need less calories—as well as carbohydrate, protein and fat—than men.
However, women tend to require more vitamins and minerals than men to help prevent things like weakened bones, osteoporosis and iron-deficiency anemia—all of which women are more susceptible to. That’s why it’s particularly important for women to get the right amounts of calcium and iron in their diets.
And for women in their childbearing years, getting the recommended daily amount of folic acid is especially important to prevent brain and spinal cord birth defects.
The Nutritional Needs of People with Diabetes
First things first: having diabetes doesn’t mean you don’t get to enjoy tasty foods—it just means you have to be more calculated about your diet.
While most everyone stands to benefit from eating a low-fat, low-calorie diet and three square meals a day at regular intervals, it’s highly important for people living with diabetes.
The type and timing of your diet are key to helping your body use insulin more effectively.
Older Adults’ Nutritional Needs
Eating healthy foods is still important in our senior years and is a key part of healthy aging.
And there are certain nutrients that are particularly vital to older adults’ overall health, including:
- Calcium and vitamin D for optimal bone health
- Fiber to “stay regular” and to prevent heart disease and Type 2 diabetes
- Healthy fats for a healthy heart
- Potassium to help lower the risk of high blood pressure
- Vitamin B12 to promote healthy red blood cell production, cell metabolism and nerve function, as well as overall bone health
It’s worth noting that older adults are not able to absorb vitamin B12 in foods as well as younger people, which is why many experts recommend that seniors talk with their healthcare providers about taking B-12 supplements or eating more foods high in B-12.
The Prescription Shop team is here to help you reach your health goals, including eating a healthier diet. To learn more about our services, visit our website—and be sure to follow us on Facebook for more health insights and info!