Regardless of whatever medical condition a person is diagnosed with at any point in life, the one thing every doctor recommends is to eat a healthy diet and get proper nutrition. This will help stave off the effects of any health condition and help the patient feel better and stronger naturally.
The old adage “you are what you eat” indeed holds true. Humans cannot be healthy if we don’t eat good wholesome foods from all of the food groups: fruits, grains, vegetables, proteins, and dairy.
Let’s talk about how to live a healthy lifestyle of eating delicious, nutritious foods during every phase of life:
Start a Nutritious Diet Early in Life
When parents who are expecting a baby go to the obstetrician, the doctor will lay out a nutrition plan for the mother. This will help give the baby a healthy start even before it makes its appearance into the world.
When children are toddlers, it often becomes a battle to get them to eat their vegetables or any food they dislike. However, parents need to realize that this sets the tone for the rest of a child’s life.
Many physiological changes happen during early childhood: limbs lengthen, muscles get stronger, and a child’s attitude toward food develops. They take cues from family members, so a parent should try to set a good example for the child.
Proper Nutrition During Puberty
The years of puberty are the bridge between childhood and becoming an adult. It is the beginning of adolescence, and physical changes become more pronounced.
The body is working overtime producing hormones. During these years, it is a medical fact that teenagers require more rest, calories, and nutrition to support the body.
Healthy Diet During Late Adolescence
In the late teens, the changes in a child’s body are nearing completion. While most females stop growing at around age 16, males continue to grow until age 18 to 20.
This period is when they are developing their own identity, and they begin to make their own choices about food. If the child grew up in a healthy lifestyle of three meals a day and consuming food from all of the food groups every day, they will have a good baseline of nutrition.
Nutrition Requirements During Adulthood
At this point in a person’s life and development, they have reached sexual maturity and often become parents themselves. Physical changes are happening to both men and women, and these changes are part of the normal aging process: bone mass starts to fall, vision problems may begin, and certain degenerative conditions may develop.
Continuing a lifestyle of a healthy diet and regular exercise can help a person maintain their vitality throughout adulthood. This especially means eating plenty of foods that are rich in calcium, protein, and vitamins, and a general reduction in calories.
Family Doctors in the Midlands of South Carolina
If you have a concern about your diet and your body’s needs, or if you have a growing family and want to make sure everyone stays healthy, contact SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation today.
Call us at (803) 749-1111 or schedule an appointment online to request a consultation with a skilled medical professional. Our physicians and health care providers can advise you about maintaining proper nutrition at every stage, so you can enjoy health and wellness for a lifetime!
