Very few adults follow good nutritional rules. The reasons for this might simply be ignorance on the need for a healthy nutrition, ignorance on the right nutrition, or financial constraints. However nutrition has a direct effect on the quality of your life and the thinking that good nutrition costs a fortune is a misnomer. Adults should follow good nutrition habits for many reasons including:

• The right nutrition guarantees a balanced energy intake and this means the body does not have to store excess body fat. Excess body fat is responsible for problems such as strokes, heart attacks, high blood pressure due to obstructed blood vessels, diabetes, osteoporosis and several others.
• Taking the right nutrition helps in the control of diseases that come with old age.

However, it is not always possible to know when you are not nutritionally balanced. You should consult your dietician if you experience one of the following symptoms or conditions:

• Poor general health
• Poor eating habits
• Unexpected or inexplicable weight loss or weight gain
• Poor dental health

Adults have the same nutritional needs as younger people with the main difference being in the quantities of food. Younger people require more calories as the bodies are growing and developing and they are more physically active. On the other hand, older adults’ bodily functions are less vigorous and hence expend less energy. A combination of aging effects and age related ailments requires changes in nutrition plan. Adult diet should have diets that are:

• Rich in fiber: Fiber is important because as people get older, the digestive system becomes weaker. Fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits are important because they slow down digestion, giving the body enough time to absorb nutrients in the foods consumed. Fiber-rich foods also reduce constipation.
• Rich in calcium: The diet should be rich in calcium because calcium prevents osteoporosis and builds strong bones and teeth. As people get older their bodies’ capacity to absorb calcium decreases and since the bones and teeth still require calcium, the intake has to be increased. Sources of calcium include daily products and spinach.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps in the depositing of calcium in the bones and this means a lower risk of bone disease. Vitamin D can come from the UV rays of the sun and from cereals and milk.
• Vitamin C: An adults body needs a lot of Vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiency causes problems such as bleeding gums and delayed healing. It also contributes to low iron levels because Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron from plants.

When considering adult nutrition, it is important to consider the size of the portions. An adults diet should value quality more than quantity. An adult should spread the servings throughout the day so that the body can have enough time to digest all the food and to absorb all the nutrients. The diet should include a lot of water to aid in digestion and to improve general well-being. Adults should take vitamin supplements on a regular basis to complement their diet.

By following some of these simple tips and rules for good nutrition you will put yourself on track for a much healthier and happy life.