Good Nutrition a Must for Seniors

February 10th, 2010 · No Comments

Welcome back!

Many people think that after they reach their senior years, 60 and beyond, they no longer need as many calories as they did when they were younger. That is not the case. Actually, seniors need more of certain nutrients because their bodies are less efficient in making or absorbing certain vitamins and minerals. For example, many people need additional vitamin D because their body no longer absorbs what it needs from the sun.

Lack of calcium is another problem as our bones tend to lose this vital mineral. Bone density loss case grave problems for the elderly including brittle or broken bones. Seniors must eat nutrient-rich foods in order to stay healthy.

On the other side of the coin, obesity can become a problem for those who eat more calories than they need. Unfortunately, body fat increases as does the risk for heart attacks, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Therefore, it is obvious that poor diets increase the risk for chronic disease.

What can be done?

Start each day with a healthy breakfast. Experts agree that those who skip breakfast tend to overeat later in the day, and they chose the wrong foods because of excessive hunger. Starting the day with nutrient rich whole grains, fruit, and dairy products provides a solid foundation for the rest of the day.
Do not skip meals. Not only should you eat breakfast, but follow through with appropriate lunch, snack, and dinner. Skipping meals during the day also tends to cause overeating and making poor snack choices. The other problem with skipping meals is that blood sugar levels tend to drop between meals, then they rise substantially when a large meal is eaten.
Stay hydrated throughout the day. Allowing yourself to become dehydrated can cause weakness and excessive tiredness. Beware of drinking caffeinated drinks as they drain important nutrients and cause increased loss of fluids. Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day or drink low or no-calorie drinks if you want to lose weight.

No matter how old you are, it is never to late to start following a healthy eating plan. Good nutrition is a must for seniors so that they can maintain their ideal weight and strength for years to come. Eating a good, solid breakfast, eating regular meals throughout the day, and drinking plenty of fluids will provide the proper nutrients seniors need to maintain their body and their mind long into their senior years.