Food and Your Life Stages
The nutritional needs of the human body change at different life stages. To be fit and healthy, it is important to take into account the extra demands placed on your body by these changes. To meet your body's regular nutritional needs, you should consume:
？ A wide variety of nutritious foods;
？ Daily supplies of water;
？ Enough kilojoules (千焦耳) for energy, with carbohydrates as the preferred source;
？ Adequate protein for cell maintenance and repair;
？ Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins;
？ Essential minerals, such as iron, calcium and zinc;
？ Foods containing plant-derived photo-chemicals, which may protect against heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, arthritis (关节炎) and osteoporosis.
A varied diet that concentrates on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (豆类), dairy foods and lean meats can fulfill these basic requirements.
Babies from Birth to Six Months of Age
Infants usually increase their length by 50 percent and their weight by 300 percent between birth and one year of age. Breast milk generally supplies a baby with the required amounts of nutrients, fluids and energy up to six months of age. Where possible, breast milk is preferred to formula, as it contains many protective and immunological factors that benefit the baby's development.
Breast milk or correctly prepared infant formula provides enough water for a healthy infant to replace any water losses. However, all infants need extra water when solid foods are introduced.
Babies Six to 12 Months
Solids should be introduced around six months of age. As a baby is gradually weaned (断奶) from the breast or bottle and new solids are introduced, there may be reduced body stores of iron and vitamins C and D. To maintain nutrient body stores:
？ Give your baby foods that are rich in iron, for example, iron-enriched infant cereals. Iron-enriched rice-based cereals are frequently recommended as the first food to be introduced, as there is the additional benefit of having a lower risk of an allergic reaction. Wheat cereals are not recommended as the first food due to their allergy risk.
？ Fruits and vegetables should be introduced after the cereals. They are important for vitamin and mineral content and to introduce new textures, tastes and colors.
？ Meat, poultry and fish are generally introduced last.
？ Don't add salt or sugar to your baby's food.
？ Occasional exposure of the skin to sunlight is usually enough to provide a baby's vitamin D requirements.
Young Children
During childhood, children tend to vary their food intake (spontaneously) to coincide with their growth patterns. Children's food needs vary widely, depending on their growth and their level of physical activity. Like energy needs, a child's total protein, vitamin and mineral requirements increase with age. Ideally, children should be accumulating stores of nutrients in preparation for the rapid growth spurt experienced during adolescence.
Food-related problems for young children include becoming overweight, obesity, tooth decay and food sensitivities. Recommendations include:
？ If a child is putting on too much body fat, limit energy-dense, nutrient-poor snack foods. Increasing physical activity will also help. You could also restrict the amount of television watching.
？ Tooth decay can be prevented with regular brushing and visits to the dentist. Avoid sugary foods, especially if sticky or acidic.
？ Ensure your child has enough fluids, especially milk and water.
Children Entering Their Teenage Years
The growth spurt as children move

A. Y
B. N
C. NG