Investigate Special Dietary Needs
Pregnancy
To reduce the risk of certain birth
defects, pregnant women need to eat
foods high in folic acid
 (Folic acid can be found in foods such
as spinach, parsley, broccoli, lettuce,
lima beans, turnip greens, asparagus
and beef liver)
 Pregnant women need to increase their
intake of vitamins and minerals

Childhood
Eating habits and attitudes toward food
are established during childhood
 Regular meals teach good eating habits

Adolescents

Protein is particularly important for
adolescents as it builds and repairs
body tissues while they are growing
Food Allergies
People with food allergies need to
carefully read food labels to avoid eating
products containing what they are
allergic to
 Symptoms of food allergies include itchy
rash, nasal congestion, and diarrhea

Lactose Intolerance

A person experiences gas, bloating,
abdominal pain, and diarrhea if they eat
dairy products
High Blood Pressure

People with high blood pressure should
eat a diet low in sodium
Cancer
To reduce the risk of some types of
cancer, eat a diet that contains fresh
foods and vegetables
 Avoid highly processed foods

Diabetes

When a person has diabetes, their body
is unable to use carbohydrates.
Osteoporosis

A condition in which a person has brittle
bones, usually from not consuming
enough calcium
High Blood Cholesterol

High blood cholesterol levels can lead to
heart disease
Seniors

As people age, their metabolism slows
down so they require fewer calories
Athletes
An athlete should eat 3 -4 hours before
competition
 Athletes should eat complex
carbohydrates to provide their bodies
with enough energy to compete
 To prevent dehydration, athletes should
drink extra water
