Nutrition Month: Essential nutrients for every life stage

"Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan! (Nutrition and Environment, Let’s Nurture!)"— this year’s Nutrition Month theme highlights the connection between nutrition and environmental sustainability, as many Filipino families face a growing reality: maintaining good health is becoming more complex amid rising food costs, changing weather patterns and the everyday demands of work, school and family life.

The theme highlights an important reality: the health of people and that of the environment are deeply connected. As climate change continues to affect food production, supply chains and access to nutritious food, the conversation around nutrition is evolving.

“Sometimes we forget that just because we give our children the right food, we’d be okay. But as parents, we also have to make sure that our kids are living in an environment that is conducive for learning, love and care, not pressure,” Dr. Katrina Florcruz-Dacanay, pediatrician and mom, said at a recent panel discussion organized by a food supplement brand.

“For example, if we find it hard to feed our child, we pressure the child. So that becomes a negative environment that the child could bring until he grows up. He starts to associate mealtimes as times to get scolded and pressured to eat… So it’s also important that we nurture the environment.”

Nutrition experts have long emphasized the importance of balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables and other nutrient-dense foods. Yet for many households, consistently achieving these nutritional goals can be challenging. Busy schedules, irregular meal times, and increasing health concerns often make it difficult for both adults and children to meet their daily nutritional needs.

“Ideally, there should at least be one parent always looking after the child. But unfortunately, that’s not the reality now among many parents. A lot of us have to work. So, it’s important that we all have structure to live by for the child,” actress Iza Calzado said in the same panel discussion.

First five years

Different life stages come with different nutritional needs.

According to Dr. Dacanay, “The first five years is very important because that is the time that the brain, the body and the immunity are all developing rapidly, so new paths to brain connections are formed every time you and your child do something together.”

“It’s very important to know that the first five years, we’re talking about foundation here – laying out the foundation not only for the health of the child not only just for today, for this moment, but for the years to come,” she explained. “And it’s very important that we lay down the groundwork and foundation of good health. This is where the importance of proper nutrition comes in.”

According to her, the vital nutrients for kids are macronutrients like proteins, fats and carbohydrates; and micronutrients like vitamins and minerals that they could get from different food groups. For children, LAC ImmuGuard Junior helps support immunity and digestive health through a convenient lychee-flavored jelly format containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, zinc, grape seed extract and 300 million probiotics per stick, including L. Casei and L. Johnsonii. These ingredients work together to promote overall well-being, helping children stay ready for school, play and everyday activities by supporting gut health alongside immunity.

Do not make feeding or drinking vitamins feel like a chore, Iza reminded fellow parents. “I try to make it fun for her as much as possible,” she said of how she feeds her daughter Deia.

For adults

While children require support for immunity and digestive health as they grow and stay active, adults increasingly seek ways to maintain vitality, healthy circulation and protection against the effects of aging and daily stress. This is especially important as families navigate increasingly complex health and nutrition challenges, making it equally essential to support both children and adults.

While Nutrition Month activities traditionally focus on children, wellness is a family responsibility that extends beyond the classroom. Parents and caregivers play a critical role in shaping healthy habits, but they also face their own health challenges. Long work hours, stress and inadequate rest can affect overall wellness, making it important for adults to prioritize their health alongside their children.

For adults, LAC Masquelier French Pine Bark Extract offers a distinctive approach to healthy aging and everyday wellness. Made with Masquelier’s Original OPCs from authentic French Pine Bark Extract, it provides a unique triple-action benefit that helps protect against free radical damage, supports healthy circulation and maintains collagen health. Healthy circulation supports the function of vital organs, promotes recovery and helps maintain overall vitality. The formula also helps maintain collagen health, an important component of healthy skin, blood vessels and connective tissues.

As climate-related disruptions continue to challenge food systems and nutrition security, building resilience requires more than access to food alone. Families must also maintain the everyday habits and wellness practices that help them stay healthy amid changing circumstances.

As Iza said, it is important for her as a mom to build a strong nutritional foundation for her daughter “so she could grow healthy and keep learning and focused to survive everyday” challenges.