Nutritional Needs Across the Life Cycle
Infancy (0–12 months)
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, starting within an hour of birth; colostrum is the first milk, rich in immunoglobulin A, and must not be discarded. Complementary feeding begins at 180 days while breastfeeding continues to two years. First foods are soft, mashed and energy-dense - mashed rice, dal, fruit pulp - with no added salt or sugar and no choking-risk textures.
Childhood and adolescence
Preschoolers have small stomachs and fluctuating appetite, so frequent small meals are needed. Adolescence (10–19 years) brings a growth spurt: protein, calcium, iron (especially for menstruating girls) and folate rise, while breakfast skipping, fast food and body-image pressure raise the risk of obesity and eating disorders.
Pregnancy and lactation
ICMR's 2020 recommendations give an extra about 350 kcal and 9.5 g protein daily in the second and third trimesters, with iron–folic acid and calcium supplementation, iodised salt and avoidance of alcohol. Lactation needs roughly 600 kcal and 17–18 g protein during exclusive breastfeeding, plus fluids.
Old age
BMR and energy needs fall, but protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, fibre and fluid must be maintained or increased. Small frequent meals, texture modification and attention to drug–nutrient interactions help.
Worked example
A 72-year-old woman eats little and is losing weight. Reasoning: her energy requirement is lower than a young adult's, but her protein need per kilogram is not - so the plan should reduce refined carbohydrate and add pulse-based dishes, curd, milk and soft dals rather than merely increasing portions of rice.
Traps that cost marks
'eating for two' is wrong - the pregnancy increment is modest. Starting complementary feeding before six months displaces breast milk. Low-fat or restrictive diets are inappropriate for infants and young children. Anaemia in adolescent girls is commonly missed.