As we age, our minds and bodies grow more and more fragile, which is why we need to pay special attention to our nutrition late in life.
Do you often feel tired and exhausted? Are you increasingly feeling weak?
It probably isn’t because you’re getting older. According to the Director of the Center for Aging Research at Indiana University’s School of Medicine, it might be because you’re not eating the best diet for seniors.
It’s not always easy to maintain a healthy diet in old age.
You don’t have the same appetite as you did in your younger days. You don’t have the same energy to cook. You might struggle to get three square meals into your tight budget.
But it’s important to these tips to stay healthy during your advancing years. Let’s go!
Senior Nutrition 101
1. Stay Hydrated
Dehydration among the elderly is a serious public health problem. This is especially dangerous during warmer temperatures.
But why don’t seniors drink as much?
As we get older, our impulse towards thirst and hunger decline compare to when we were young. However, our need for hydration and nutrition does not.
Many problems can be caused by inadequate hydration. These include:
- Memory loss
- Fever
- Muscle cramps
That’s why it’s imperative that seniors drink plenty of water throughout the day.
2. Lots of Natural Foods
It’s unfortunate that many of the most convenient food is terrible for us. Ready meals are full of sugar, fat, and salt.
Avoiding these kinds of foods is essential. Instead, you need to eat plenty of natural foods, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans.
You need to return to your habit of cooking meals for yourself. Make sure you prepare rainbow meals with plenty of colors. Variety is the spice of life.
3. The Foods to Reduce
It’s important to repeat that sugar, fat, and salt are bad for you at any age. But it’s particularly true as you get older, as opposed to when you were younger. Each of these ingredients can increase the probability of disease and ill health.
For example, sugar increases the chance of you getting diabetes while salt can cause high blood pressure. Lastly, fat has been linked with heart and circulatory problems.
You don’t have to cut out salt, sugar, and fat. However, it’s important to make sure you only consume a moderate amount.
4. Everything in Moderation
We all have our favorite snacks and treats. Giving up our guilty pleasures can be difficult in our older years.
If you never get to have your favorite chocolate and you have to live on green leaves all the time, you won’t enjoy life. Eating in moderation is important. Instead of having an entire bar of chocolate, have a single square.
You can also replace the unhealthy foods with a healthy substitute. For example, swap high-fat strawberry yogurt with the low-fat plain yogurt.
5. Eat with Friends
From when time began humans beings have enjoyed eating food in the company of others. It’s important to regularly get together with friends and family for lunch and dinner.
The Importance of Senior Nutrition
It’s important to stay healthy in your golden years. By following our five tips on keeping a nutritious diet, you can live a long and healthy life.
Do you have any other tips for keeping healthy in old age? Leave a comment below! Contact us today to help improve your retirement!