To keep your body running at its best, its important to eat right which is easier said than done.

During National Nutrition Month in March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages you to follow an eating plan that fits your unique lifestyle and nutritional needs.

Registered dietitian Jacqueline Clemons of the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center of the Washington Hospital says theres no one-size-fits-all plan to eat thats right for everyone.

Something may work for one individual and not for another. Its based on you needs, your lifestyle and your food accessibility, not just nutrient requirements, said Clemons. Im most concerned with balance.

Whether youre a student, athlete, busy parent, retiree, or work 9 to 5, its important to Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day, the slogan of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

No matter what stage of life youre in, you need to adjust your eating habits as you age in order to maintain a healthy weight and meet your nutrient needs.

Clemons offered the following tips to eat right at different stages of life:

Infancy and early childhood During those first years, a person has the highest requirement for all nutrients per kilogram of body weight than any other developmental age. Thats when a child is growing at the fastest rate, said Clemons. They also require increased protein and require essential fatty acids such as DHA, an Omega 3 fatty acid for brain development and mental function. It can be found in salmon and tuna, nuts and seeds. For picky children, a supplement is available.

Adolescence Clemons said that many children in this age group tend to skip breakfast, an important meal for growing bodies. She suggests preparing healthy grab-and-go foods for breakfast: cheese sticks, yogurt, trail mix, healthy granola bars (theyve come a long way, Clemons said) and fruit.

She also noted that busy teens eat on the go, but encouraged them to make good choices when they are out.

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Nutrition 101: ‘Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day’