Family Nutrition Across the Lifespan: Trending Now Presentation
Written by: CDHF
Updated: February 1st, 2024
As part of CDHF’s 10th educational summit, “#TrendingNow: Putting the Biggest Gut Health Trends under the Microscope“, Claire Kee, RD spoke on Family Nutrition Across the Lifespan. View her full presentation below!
Nutrition in Infancy
Did you know that breastmilk is not a complete nutrition source for a newborn? Infancy is a critical period when optimal nutrition is essential for growth and development. For the first 4-6 months of life, human milk, formula or a combination of the two should be the sole source of nutrition for infants. Human milk provides adequate amounts of all nutrients that infants need with the following exceptions:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin K
- Iron
Giving infants a daily Vitamin D 400 IU supplement shortly after birth and continue throughout life. Newborns should also receive a vitamin K shot soon after birth. Babies born at term have enough iron stored until 4 months when it begins to deplete. At this time, some iron-rich foods should be introduced if appropriate.
Adolescence
As children grow, they will explore many foods. Did you know that calcium requirements are highest during adolescence? Our bones reach the maximum density at young adulthood. As we get older, we lose the ability to store calcium.
At this life stage, a number of changes happen. Be sure to include the following in an adolescence diet:
- Calcium to support bone growth (1300 mg/day)
- Vitamin D to absorb calcium (600 IU)
- Vitamin A to support rapid development and growth in this life stage (Eat one dark green and one orange food each day)
- Iron for increased blood volume and lean muscle mass (Improve iron absorption by adding foods rich in Vitamin C to your diet, and by avoiding coffee or tea during your meals)
Older Adults
Older adults have lower energy needs than younger adults but increase requirements of certain nutrients. At this life stage, we tend to slowly lose bone mass. Be sure to include the following in an older adult diet:
- Calcium (1200 mg/day)
- Vitamin D (recommended to take a supplement of at least 400 IU daily or 800-1200 IU if at risk for deficiency)
- Vitamin B12 (especially important for those who consume little to no animal products)
About The Speaker
Claire Kee is a Registered Dietitian with research interests in gastroenterology. She is a volunteer for the International Probiotic Association and has written presentation summaries, conducted literature reviews, and evaluated a Probiotic Search tool. Claire is also part of the clinical world and previously worked with the adult and elderly population. Her current area of practice is focused on pediatric nutrition.
This information was made possible due to an unrestricted educational grant from Culturelle Probiotics.
