Our individual preferences, body shapes and sizes, blood types, metabolic rates, and genetic backgrounds all have an impact on the foods that nourish us and those that don't. For instance, breast milk is usually enough to provide babies with the necessary nutrients, fluids, and energy until they reach six months of age. To illustrate, a man who weighs 175 pounds and follows a 2500 calorie diet would need 63.6 g of protein and 18.6 g of essential fat per day. A balanced diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, dairy products, and lean meats can meet these basic requirements.
Caldwell Esselstyn's low-fat, plant-based diet is recommended for those with advanced-stage heart disease. Although the recommended breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is the same for both sexes, men generally need more calories and thus require a higher total intake of each macronutrient. It is unlikely to find horses that do better with some meat in their diet due to their blood type or bears that need twice as much protein as other bears. No special diet or “miracle food” can cure arthritis, but certain conditions can be alleviated if certain foods are avoided or included. In addition to this, breastfeeding mothers need extra energy in the form of nutrient-rich foods to meet the additional nutrient requirements produced during breastfeeding.
It is important to note that some people's systems can better manage stress (unhealthy foods are a form of stress) which suggests that some people may need different categories of food than others. For example, postmenopausal women require more calcium than men (1000 mg for women aged 51 to 70 compared to 800 mg for men aged 51 to 70 years). One of the most effective ways to improve your health, increase energy levels, and prevent chronic diseases is to switch to a plant-based diet. Moving home, starting work or study, and the changing lifestyle that comes with late teens and early 20s can cause dietary changes that are not always beneficial for good health. However, following a diet high in fat or protein has no health benefits compared to the well-documented advantages of eating a variety of whole plant-based foods in sufficient quantity to meet our caloric needs.
As people age they tend to eat less which makes it harder to ensure their diet has enough variety to include all the nutrition it needs.
