Unit 6 assignment 2: The impact of nutrition on health and wellbeing.
2B.P3 – Describe the specific dietary needs of two individuals at different life stages
2B.P4 – Create a nutritional plan for two individuals with different specific nutritional needs
2B.M2 – Explain the factors influencing the dietary choices of two individuals with specific dietary
needs at different life stages
2B.M3 – Compare nutritional plans for two individuals with different nutritional needs
2B.D2 – Discuss how factors influence the dietary choices of two individuals with specific dietary
needs at different life stages
Introduction:
This unit shows us the impact of nutrition on the health and wellbeing of individuals at different life
stages. This unit shows us how different factors such as religion or personal preference can affect an
individual’s diet drastically. It shows us the specific dietary needs of two individuals at different life
stages and teaches us which foods are beneficial for those individuals and which foods should be
avoided. It shows us two nutritional plans for the two individuals and provides us with a comparison
of the dietary needs of the two individuals. The two individuals I have chosen are shown below.
Rachael is a 17-year-old girl who has a dairy allergy and is a member of the school cross-
country team.
Yasmin is a 35-year-old woman who is a vegetarian and has Type 1 diabetes, which she
developed when she was 7 years old.
Specific dietary needs of Yasmin:
Yasmin is 35 years old, so her nutritional needs start to lower due to ageing. She has type 1 diabetes
and so will need to consume less calories than others her age with no health issues as she needs to
control her weight and blood pressure. Type one diabetes is cause by a lack of insulin in the body.
Insulin is a hormone produced by cells in the pancreas. Her daily caloric intake should be between
1500kcal and 1800kcal depending on how physically active she is. If Yasmin does not get the right
number of calories daily, she will feel hunger, fatigue, and nausea and over time lack of energy and
nutrition will cause the cells in her body to die, the heart and lungs to stop and the organs to not be
able to carry out the basic processes needed for living. By having good nutrition, Yasmin is less likely
to develop many of the present-day diseases like Alzheimer’s disease thus allowing her to live longer
and good nutrition will contribute to long-term happiness. A balanced nutritious diet will keep her
blood sugar and energy levels in check which will promote both positive moods and clear thinking.
On average 35-year-olds diets should consist of 50 % carbohydrates, 30 % proteins and 20 % fats but
because Yasmin has type 2 diabetes, the best diet for her would be a low carb, high fibre, and high
protein diet. Getting in all these nutrients will help Yasmin to be able to control blood sugar levels
and reduce the risk of other complications caused by diabetes, it will also provide her with more
energy, put her in a better mood, allow her to sleep better and will improve her overall wellbeing.
, Nutrients she should and should not be having daily and alternatives:
Yasmin needs to make sure to eat a minimum of five portions of fruits and vegetables a day to keep
healthy and lessen her chance of developing type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Eating vegetables
like eggplants, avocadoes and brussels sprouts are good for her as they are high in fibre. Yasmin
should include other fibre rich foods like oats, nuts, and wholegrains such as brown rice and quinoa
into her diet. Fibre is good for diabetics as it will help lower Yasmin’s daily requirements of insulin,
keep her fuller longer allowing her to control her blood sugar levels and also prevent constipation.
She should base her meals on healthy carbohydrates such as beans, vegetables, wholewheat bread,
brown rice, and pasta because they will provide her with the energy she needs to help with her daily
activities, help her control her weight and allow her to prevent serious diseases like heart disease
and type 2 diabetes. If she eats more carbohydrates than her insulin supply can handle, her blood
sugar level goes up. If she eats too little, then her blood sugar level may fall too low. For Yasmin
carbohydrates should be kept in moderation because her blood sugar levels can rise to extremely
high levels. Long term effects include heart and kidney disease, and other serious health conditions.
Getting the right amount or vitamins and minerals can help protect against stroke, heart disease,
high blood pressure and some cancers and when you have diabetes, you are more at risk of
developing these conditions. The best sources for the minerals zinc and iron are meats, fish, and
poultry. However, since she cannot eat those, she can get zinc and iron in dried beans, seeds, nuts,
and leafy green vegetables. Vitamin B12 is important for manufacturing RBCs, is not found in plant
foods. She can find vitamin B12 in eggs, milk, and other dairy foods. Vitamin B12 supplements can
also lessen the pain of neuropathy, one of the most common complications of diabetes. For older adults, low
vitamin B12 levels may cause memory loss. She should go for a variety of fruits and vegetables to get a
wide range of vitamins and minerals. Yasmin is an adult with diabetes so it is hard for her to get
vitamin D from the sun so she would benefit vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in
controlling glucose levels and vitamin D deficiency can play a role in insulin resistance. It will keep her bones
healthy, her teeth strong and her immune system healthy. Calcium is Important for healthy bones
and teeth, Yasmin could get her calcium intake by eating dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese,
eggs, and fish with bones.
Protein is needed for the growth and repair of muscles and tissues. Yasmin is a vegetarian and
cannot eat meat, which is the primary source of protein, she will need to find alternatives to
incorporate protein into her diet for it to be balanced and healthy. These include beans and lentils,
nuts, seeds, eggs, and low-fat dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. Dairy foods have a
specific role to play in dental health as they contain a unique combination of special anti-decay
nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus and the protein, casein. Consuming dairy products also
improves bone and dental health.
Other alternatives to protein are falafel and eggplants. Both have similar taste to meat. Tofu is soy-
based and full of protein and has a similar flavour to chicken. Lentils and beans have many
nutritional benefits. They are packed with protein and fibre which slows down digestion, which will
make her feel fuller quicker. Meat is a good way to get iron into the diet, getting enough iron is
crucial to her overall health, since it is involved in oxygen transport, energy production and
more. Lentils and beans are filled with iron, and they are great for Yasmin as she is vegetarian, they
give her a good iron intake without having to eat meat. Mushrooms are packed with vitamins and
minerals. They are also low in fat and carbs which makes them great for diabetics. Eggs are also a
good alternative to meat, as they are high in protein. If she does not get enough protein in her diet,
she will feel weakness and fatigue and over time she may lose muscle mass, slow metabolism and
she could even develop anaemia.
