The effects of a woman's diet on her children start long before she becomes pregnant. Stores of fat, protein, and other nutrients built up over the years are called upon during pregnancy for fetal nourishment.
During adolescence and early adulthood, women need to increase food rich in calcium to build peak (maximum) bone mass to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, a progressive loss of bone with aging that causes bones to be more susceptible to fracture. All women need more iron than men since younger women lose iron through menstruation.
We encourage you to explore your nutritional options and learn how to promote your own bone density at any age through the following resources:
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