It does not take a genius to work out that whatever food and drink you consume daily directly impacts the overall levels of physical and emotional health and well-being.
As you grow older, it becomes even more important to ensure you are providing your body with the right vitamins and minerals. With this in mind, continue reading to discover a helpful guide to the nutritional needs of the elderly.
Take more Time to Plan your Meals
Even though it can be far more convenient, although considerably more expensive, to visit the grocery store three or more times a week and grab what you fancy to eat that day, this is not conducive to paying more attention to how healthy your meals are.
Instead, you should start to plan your meals in advance, perhaps for the week ahead, and choose foods which are both budget-friendly and high in nutrients, whilst also taking into consideration preparation time. If you are, either now or in the future, considering the move to senior living facilities, such as prominent assisted living Southbury CT, such matters will be taken care of, with individual dietary plans for residents as a standard.
Look After your Teeth
If you are fortunate enough to still have your own teeth, then you must have been doing something right for many years, and it is absolutely essential to pay extra attention to what you are eating so that you do not damage them.
Foods that are corrosive and generally harmful to your teeth include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Toffee and Fudge
- Yoghurts and Flavored Milks
- Marmalades and Jams
- Tinned Fruits
- Syrups and Sauces
- Biscuits and Cakes
Be Careful with Saturated Fats
Trans fats and saturated fats are, for people of any age, foods to be avoided, and moreover, as you get older and into your golden years, you should watch your intake even more carefully.
Foods such as pastries and cakes, battered foods, potato wedges, chips, and chocolate are usually exceedingly high in saturated fats. However delicious they are, you must resist the temptation to eat them regularly.
Focus on the Right Vitamins & Minerals
One of the most important components of a healthy and nutritious diet for older people is fiber, which can be found in high quantities in seeds and nuts, brown rice, beans, whole grains, baked potato with the skin intact, and bran cereals.
Additionally, for older people and the elderly, bone health becomes a top priority, and as such, it is also crucial to ensure you are consuming a strong level of calcium each day. One of the richest sources of calcium is milk, but to keep your calorie intake within a normal band, choose semi-skimmed or even skimmed milk rather than the full-fat variety.
Also, ensure that you are consuming foods that are rich in vitamin c, vitamin b, and iron, or you are taking supplements that can boost your system. Always check with your doctor to see what you might be lacking.
