Diet and nutrition are essential to healthy living throughout life. As you age, your body’s nutritional needs change. Lifestyle differences and limitations for seniors bring significant shifts in dietary needs. Use the following guide for the best diet and nutrition during your elder years.
Nutrition for Seniors
As your body slows down there are significant changes to your nutritional needs for healthy living. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep remain your top 3 priorities for sustained health. Consider the following 7 tips for a healthy diet for seniors.
Eat less.
In your senior years your metabolism slows down as your mobility decreases. This means maintaining a healthy weight for you requires fewer calories. Eating too much with slowing physical activity may cause you to gain more weight than you need. It is advisable to limit your calorie intake.
Eat well.
You’re eating less and moving less. It is vital to focus on getting the nutrients you need before eating other things. Focus on lean proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Colorful fruits and vegetables, whether fresh or frozen, are essential. Whole grains will provide you with B vitamins and fiber. Limit your junk food intake.
Hydrate often.
Proper hydration is essential to healthy living. It can come from water, fruits and vegetables, soups, and juice. Make a conscious effort to hydrate regularly and sufficiently. Your body needs sufficient water intake to maintain peak health.
Less sodium.
Limiting sodium intake is a good idea for everyone. But it is even more important for those with high blood pressure. Limit or avoid frozen, processed, and restaurant foods as they tend to have increased sodium levels. Eat more foods that are naturally low in sodium such as fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts, grains, and dry beans.
More calcium.
Your bone health is extremely important as you age. Keeping strong bones will help you maintain your independence as long as possible and prevent falling injuries. For this reason, your need for calcium increases as you age. More dairy and leafy greens are great sources of calcium. You can also take calcium supplements.
Mind your medicines.
Certain medications can interfere with your body’s ability to process nutrients properly. On the flip side, some foods diminish the effectiveness of important medications. Make sure your medications and food intake work well together.
Avoid raw foods.
Due to a weakened immune system, it is important to avoid eating some raw foods otherwise considered healthy. This list includes raw eggs, soft cheeses, raw seafood, unpasteurized milk and unpasteurized orange juice, raw and rare beef, sushi and sashimi.
Healthy Living at Unlimited Care Cottages
In our assisted living cottages, we offer foods with high protein and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. We keep glasses of water available within arms reach throughout each day. Our caregivers at each cottage prepare all 3 meals for residents daily. Residents are monitored and encouraged to eat well and get plenty of exercise. We encourage walks outside for fresh air and sunshine.
Eat Healthy and Live Well
It is vitally important to maintain a healthy diet at all ages of life. However, in your senior years it is even more important. Use this guide to nutrition for seniors to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need for a healthy life. Eat well and live better. Unlimited Care Cottages provides assisted living and memory care for seniors in the Kingwood, Spring, Oak Ridge North, and The Woodlands areas. Contact Us for more information on a healthy diet for seniors, or for a tour of one of our cottages.
