
Important Nutrients For Women Of All Ages
The food and drink you choose every day affect your overall health. You should make a conscious healthy choice to prevent and manage health problems. Women, unlike men, have special nutrient needs during each stage of a woman’s life, and these needs keep changing. Generally, women need fewer calories than men, as they have less muscle, more body fat and are smaller than men. However, women who are physically active may require more calories to build their muscles. The nutritional needs of a woman are also distinct from those of a man because their bodies go through various changes during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause. Therefore, a balanced diet is essential to meet the daily recommended levels of nutrients to prevent common nutritional deficiencies that can negatively impact the health of a woman. Dr Astha Dayal, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, shares four essential nutrients of all ages.