Food population groups

Energy needs vary at each stage of life, from the highest requirements in the growth stage to reaching old age, where energy expenditure decreases, that is, less energy is used. Therefore, to meet the nutritional requirements at each stage, energy intake must be balanced without making the mistake of eliminating certain foods without just cause.

Childhood is a stage of life where eating habits are learned. For this reason, family eating behavior should convey health messages and promote a varied and balanced diet. At these ages, energy needs increase, but this does not mean that we have to overfeed our children. The latest published studies indicate that the figures for childhood overweight and obesity increase, therefore the belief that "the child burns everything and can eat large amounts of food without gaining weight" should be demystified. For this reason, the child must be motivated to consume a wide variety of foods and choose the healthiest ones.

Pregnancy is a stage of the woman where the feeding takes a special attention since the nutritional requirements vary. From the fourth month of pregnancy, energy needs increase but this should not justify imbalances in daily intakes. Maintaining a varied and balanced diet is the best guarantee to cover all the needs of the mother and the child and prevent possible consequences. Today the false myth of "eating for two during pregnancy" is losing force.

Old age is a stage of life where the body's own natural aging causes physiological changes and some diseases are more frequent. There is a loss of calcium, protein and water, reduced physical capacity and an increase in body fat. All these characteristics lead to a greater risk of suffering from diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, kidney problems, For all this, performing an unjustified energy restriction can carry a risk to the health of the elderly since it can lead to malnutrition. Nor should you eliminate certain foods, such as salt, if there is no real health problem as it can cause aversion to food. In old age there may be chewing or swallowing problems, to which we will have to pay attention not to eliminate food, but to give it in the form of puree or with thickeners.