LESSON 2

FOOD NEEDS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE

Are you familiar with the statement of William Wordsworth, “The child is the father of the
man”? this is quite significant especially to teenagers like you because eating habits developed
during childhood and adolescence may last a lifetime.
There are so many changes especially in your physical appearance when you go through, and
growth and development.
When you were younger whatever food prepared on your dining table will be the basis of the
food you consumed. Individual taste plays a significant role in what food you want. As we grow,
outside world influence.
HEALTHY EATING FOR A HEALTHY LIFE
According to William Wordsworth, good nutrition at an early age is the key of good health
when you grow older.
What you eat in early age, depends on what you learned to eat and your personal likes.
In grade school, your eating habits may have been little better you were not go to school unless
you have a full stomach, your eating habits must maintain at this stage and grow it when you
are in high school, because at this stage you already know what to eat that is needed in body.
OPTIMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Providing for optimal growth requires providing diets that will meet the needs for normal
growth and development. The growth of infancy is much faster than in childhood. In the second
year of life, children grow for about five inches; in the third year it’s about four inches; and after
that year it’s about two to three inches each year.
Growth patterns are predictable but growth occurs in spurts. During this growth children and
adolescents are voracious eaters but they may seem to be eating nothing (eating those foods
that they liked whether it is nutritious or not).
Genetics, environment, and lifestyle affect the maximum height that an individual can attain.
For instance, a child whose parents are 5 feet tall may not probably become 6 feet tall.
Whatever the genetic potential of a child, adequate nutrition is essential for him or her to reach
that potential. Poor nutrition in childhood may slow down growth and poor brain development.
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF INFANTS
Most nutritional needs of infants are provided by breast milk or formula.
In studies, it shows that there is no difference in sleeping patterns on cereal and bottle-fed
infants and bottle-fed only infants.
Experts recommend a spoon of iron-fortified infant rice cereal mixed with breast milk or
formula. Rice cereal is easy to digest and does not usually cause any allergic reaction. Wheat
cereal is given last because it is most likely to cause allergic reaction.
New foods should be introduced one at a time for the infants to be able to monitor food
allergies. These new foods should be introduced for a few days without adding other foods. Any
newly introduced food that shows symptoms such as, rashes, digestive upsets or respiratory
problems should be discontinued before introducing new foods.
After cereals, purified vegetables or fruits can be introduced. This will enable them to enjoy
new taste of foods. As soon as teeth erupted, foods with more texture can be added. For the 6,
to 12-month-old child, small pieces of soft or ground fruits, vegetables, and meats are
suggested.
FOOD CHOICES FOR INFANTS
Appropriate choices of food groups are in the food guide pyramid.
Below is the typical meal pattern for infants.

Serving Serving per day

Food
size 4 – 6 mos. 6-8 mos. 9-12 mos.
Formula or breast milk
(include added to 8 oz. 4 oz. 4 oz. 4 oz.
cereal)
Dry infant cereal 2 tbsp 2 tbsp 4 tbsp 4 tbsp
Vegetables 2-3 tbsp - 2 tbsp 3 tbsp
Fruits 2 tbsp - 2 tbsp 4 tbsp
Fruit Juice 4 oz. - - (1 by cup)
Meats (or egg yolks) 1 tbsp - 2-4 strained 4-6 chopped
1 (dry tooth or 4 (table foods except
Finger foods - -
teething biscuits) foods that can choke)