The Tips of Healthy Eating for Seniors

According to the World Health Organization, most diseases that primarily affect the elderly root from improper diet. When we are aging, our metabolism is slowing down; then, our senses become weaker, and we are more vulnerable to developing chronic conditions. Having the right health plan similar to IEHP can ensure the check-ups happen on time. Besides medical help, healthy eating is crucial for us to ensure our overall well-being during the aging process.

Health and diet plans also change depending on any conditions one might contract or develop in their old age. Many seniors are prone to afflictions such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, etc. and each requires them to have a strict health plan and avoid certain foods. But how can one ensure they do that? Aged care eastern suburbs or elsewhere is one answer, as having a dedicated professional look after the afflicted individual can ensure they eat safely and healthily. Healthy eating ensures that a person in their old age does not succumb to any disease, but also helps treat many conditions that might otherwise prove to be painful.

For a more general approach, the following discusses some important tips for healthy eating for seniors. Sometimes seniors might believe they are taking care of their health through living in assisted living facilities possibly similar to the ones on websites similar to www.chelseaseniorliving.com/locations/new-york/rockville-centre/ and ones available in local communities. However, sometimes seniors may neglect to ensure that their diet is healthy, which could potentially impact other aspects of the health care they receive. Read on to find out more information about simple tips that might make a drastic change to a senior’s diet.

1. Choose the Foods With High Nutritional Value

As we are growing older, our body needs fewer and fewer calories. It stands to reason that we should choose foods with high nutritional value but with no extra calories. The following are a list of the foods with high nutritional value but without adding a lot of calories:

• Whole grains
• Fruits & vegetables
• Non-fat or low-fat milk, and almond or soy milk
• Nuts, seeds, and beans
• eggs
• Lean meat, chicken, and seafood

Some of these things can be consumed as it is. But others definitely need to be cooked or prepared. Old age is already difficult and cooking it on your own would only increase the challenges if you live away from your family. However, to make life easier for people like you, there are some In-Home Senior Care Services in Naples, FL, and many other states that tend to provide homemakers/caregivers who can take care of your household needs, along with preparing healthy meals for you.

2. Consume Plenty of Water Every Day

When we are aging, as the metabolism is slowing down, the sense of getting thirsty becomes weakened; then, we tend to feel less thirsty than we usually did before, which puts us more vulnerable to dehydration. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as seniors, we should drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated no matter if we feel thirsty or not. The studies recommend that seniors should drink eight glasses of 8 oz water each day. Non-fat milk and 100% fruit juice could be the alternatives to consider besides water. However, as seniors, we should avoid using sugary drinks, caffeine, or alcohol to keep us from being dehydrated.

3. Have a Variety of Foods

Nobody likes to eat the same things again and again. As seniors, we should eat a variety of foods for all the nutrients that our bodies need. The National Council on Aging suggests that a healthy meal should consist of the following:

• Lean protein, such as lean meats, seafood, beans, and eggs
• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Low-fat dairies, such as milk and its alternatives

Preparing foods with different textures and colors could be a good idea for eating a variety of foods. Also, providing two or more options to choose what we could eat for each meal could prevent us from eating the same meals.

4. Avoid eating Saturated and Trans Fats

As a whole, vegetable oils, margarine, and fried foods contain high saturated and trans fats, which is not healthy. As seniors, we should avoid eating these unhealthy fats. Instead, we should choose healthy ones, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. By scientific studies, healthy fats could help us as seniors protect our bodies against diseases and support our mood and mental health. In general, olive oil, nuts, avocado, and fish are excellent choices because these foods could provide high omega-3 fatty acids. Also, eat baked or grilled foods instead of deep-fried foods to avoid the high saturated and trans fats. It is also a good idea to use herbs and seasonings to replace the high-fat dressings, which contain high saturated and trans fats.

5. Reduce Sugar Intake

It has proved that refined sugar provides empty calories with no nutritional value. As seniors, we should slowly cut down the sugary treats in our diet, and instead, we should eat whole foods that are sweet naturally, such as fruits, carrots, onions, beets, sweet corn, yams, and other more.

All in all, healthy eating is crucial for seniors, and if we follow these tips for healthy eating, we will be in the right direction for better overall well-being.