Why Nutrition matters for older adults
Nutrition for Older Adults. Health conversations around older adults tend to revolve around things like memory loss, safety, and managing chronic conditions. But what’s often overlooked? Above all is senior nutrition. Furthermore, the reality is that aging can come with changes to your health and your life that make eating a healthy diet harder to do. But older adults are particularly prone to shifts in weight. Therefore, keeping up a healthy diet that takes into consideration your changing nutritional needs and the challenges you face is important to age in a healthy way.
Medical conditions and medication can make it hard to get proper nutrition as you age. Besides, they can affect your ability to exercise to maintain your muscle strength and your appetite. Consequently, if you have any mobility issues or can no longer drive. Here, shopping for nutritious foods can be a big obstacle. However, I get it. But we also know that eating well is important to keeping frailty at bay. In addition, it’s important to keep your brain active. Also, it’s important for your mental and emotional health as well.
Important diet matters for older adults
Nutrition for Older Adults. Maintaining a healthy diet is important for your health no matter your age. Besides, a healthy diet that focuses on lean protein, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limiting added sugar is good advice all around. But as you get older, particularly after the age of 65 or so, eating healthy can become more challenging.
Medical Conditions
Nutrition for Older Adults. So then, Medical conditions that tend to afflict adults later in life can cause dramatic (and unhealthy) weight loss. In this case, that includes issues like malnutrition, osteoporosis, and iron and vitamin deficiencies. Also, age-related changes to your metabolism or digestion can lead to unintentional weight fluctuations, too.
Loneliness
Nutrition for Older Adults. And as you age, your circumstances and lifestyle can lead to neglecting healthy eating habits. “For example, the unfortunate death of a spouse can lead to loneliness and depression, which can result in a lack of interest in taking care of ourselves,” In particular “Not to mention the added challenge of adjusting cooking habits for only one person instead of two.”
Loss of Independence
Nutrition for Older Adults. Additionally, any loss of independence can also make it harder to shop for healthy foods and cook them properly. However, this can leave older adults more reliant on packaged and prepared foods or meals that aren’t nutritionally complete. Above all, even though nutrition may be harder to maintain as you age, it may be even more important than when you were younger.
Ageing Health
Nutrition for Older Adults. As you age, your body can have a harder time with certain functions, like maintaining your heart health, kidney function, bone regeneration, and more. But getting proper nutrition, like enough protein and the proper amount of vitamins and other nutrients. Generally, are an important part of helping to keep those systems and others strong and functioning at their best.”
Consequently, a healthy diet can play a big role in your overall health, including your:
- Brain and memory function.
- Heart health.
- Bone strength.
- Muscle tone.
- Immunity.
- Gastrointestinal functioning.
- Mental health and well-being.
How can I eat healthily as I age?
Nutrition for Older Adults. To stay healthy as you age, you should:
Eat foods that give you lots of nutrients without a lot of extra calories, such as
- Fruits and vegetables (choose different types with bright colors)
- Whole grains, like oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, and brown rice
- Fat-free or low-fat milk and cheese, or soy or rice milk that has added vitamin D and calcium
- Seafood, lean meats, poultry, and eggs
- Beans, nuts, and seeds
- Avoid empty calories. These are foods with lots of calories but few nutrients, such as chips, candy, baked goods, soda, and alcohol.
- Pick foods that are low in cholesterol and fat. You especially want to try to avoid saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats are usually fats that come from animals. Trans fats are processed fats in stick margarine and vegetable shortening. You may find them in some store-bought baked goods and fried foods at some fast-food restaurants.
- Drink enough liquids, so you don’t get dehydrated. Some people lose their sense of thirst as they age. And certain medicines might make it even more important to have plenty of fluids.
- Be physically active. If you have started losing your appetite, exercising may help you to feel hungrier.
What can I do if I am having trouble eating healthy?
Nutrition for Older Adults. Sometimes health issues or other problems can make it hard to eat healthy. Here are some tips that might help:
- If you are tired of eating alone, try organizing some potluck meals or cooking with a friend. You can also look into having some meals at a nearby senior center, community center, or religious facility.
- If you are having trouble chewing, see your dentist to check for problems
- If you are having trouble swallowing, try drinking plenty of liquids with your meal. If that does not help, check with your healthcare provider. A health condition or medicine could be causing the problem.
- If you’re having trouble smelling and tasting your food, try adding color and texture to make your food more interesting
- If you aren’t eating enough, add some healthy snacks throughout the day to help you get more nutrients and calories
- If an illness is making it harder for you to cook or feed yourself, check with your healthcare provider. He or she may recommend an occupational therapist, who can help you find ways to make it easier.
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In Conclusion
Nutrition for Older Adults. Nutrition plays a starring role in your, ability to age healthily and well. So then, you need to fuel your body with the right food that will give it the right kind of nutrients to make it work efficiently, and help to age you well. Consequently, choosing the right food can make a real difference on how you age.
Important Note *
Remember that everyone is different, it is ultimately YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find what your body responds to. So please do your due diligence before trying anything new, including getting Medical Advice to ensure your safety and peace of mind.
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