Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: It’s no surprise that our eating habits change as we get older as our palates become more sophisticated or because we’re introduced to new flavours over the years.

But are you eating the right food that provides the necessary vitamins and minerals for your body at each stage of your life?

Ella Allred, nutritionist at Superfood UK.com told FEMAIL what ingredients we should be consuming to ensure we’re getting the nutrients we need during every decade.

Nutritionist Ella Allred reveals what you should be eating to benefit your body at different stages of your life. There is immense pressure on young women to look good as they grow from children to adults.

And this, combined with teenage self-consciousness, not to mention the comparisons to ‘perfect’ women on the social media, can drive young women into food fads and extreme diets.

A a growing number of teens are opting for very low carb diets or going vegan, which if not done properly, will mean that some important nutrients will be missing from the diet.

This also comes at a time when we are still growing and maturing, and therefore need the extra nutrition of a balanced healthy diet.

Ella says that we are still laying down the foundations of bone health and our future vitality and well-being as teenagers.

The focus should be on calcium and magnesium rich foods for bones such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.

If you’re in your late teens then you should focus on calcium and magnesium that can be found in almond milk.

Almond milk makes a fabulous drink and alternative to cow’s milk. Fresh figs are another great calcium rich food which should be eaten several times per week.

We also need healthy fats at this age for the production of hormones. Our diets should include Omega 3 fats such as oily fish, flax and chia seeds.

Fibre and zinc support the skin, especially if acne is present, so packing in seven portions of fruit and vegetables and switching to whole grains is important.

Eggs and chicken make zinc and are protein-rich foods which are needed for growth and development.

Healthy foods which are a trend at the moment and great for those in their late teens are; almond butter and almond milk, spiralised courgettes used as an alternative to pasta dishes, spinach smoothies and chia pudding.

Eggs and mixed nuts make handy nutrient rich snacks. Oatcakes and hummus are also good options.

Our early 20s are usually filled with adventures, late nights and parties. It can sometimes be hard to maintain a healthy and balanced diet while on various ventures.

In our early 20s it is likely we will experience a lot of late nights and parties, eating foods like mushrooms rich in vitamin B helping your body cope with the adventurous lifestyle

Eating foods rich in B vitamins will help your body cope with the excessive alcohol consumption and partying that can be more common for 20-somethings. So foods such as mushrooms, eggs, green leafy vegetables, kale chips and fish are good options in this decade. Women in their 20s also need to ensure that they are consuming adequate iron, as menstruation can deplete stores quickly if diets do not contain sufficient amounts.

Red lentils are a great source of iron, as are sunflower seeds, nuts, fish and beef.

Generally in this life stage women are looking at stepping up on the career ladder, improving career prospects as well as maintaining friendships and relationships.

Magnesium rich foods help the body to relax and deal with stress and a fast paced life.

In our late 20s women may be experiencing more stresses in life and magnesium found in dark chocolate helps our body to relax

Eat foods such as beans, avocados, dark chocolate and whole grains for a magnesium boost.

Most of the population does not consume enough magnesium so focusing on this nutrient, particularly in a busy life style is important. Sugar and coffee should be kept to a minimum as these deplete our magnesium stores.

Women may choose this time to have babies and therefore it is important to eat a diet that will nourish you and any future pregnancies.

Women who are planning to start a family in their 30s-40s need to concentrate on a diet rich in folic acid which can be found in foods such as asparagus

A diet rich in folic acid is recommended. Spinach, kale, asparagus, beans and citrus fruits are all great sources. Try making at least one portion of your daily fruit intake citrus, and have two servings of green leafy vegetables. Green vegetable juice is a great way to pack in nutrients such as folic acid and when combined with fruit makes a tasty beverage!

During this decade of our lives, a lot of women find that their energy levels are in decline, as well as their ability to concentrate.