Senior nutrition plays an important role in the aging process. No matter how young or old we are the quality of our diet affects how we look and how we feel. This is especially true for those of us who are growing older. In recent years every time we turn on the television set or look at a magazine, we are confronted with stories about the ever-increasing worldwide problem of obesity. More people are overweight than ever before to the point that their lives are in danger.
However, what we don’t often hear about are the undernourished or malnourished seniors among us. As we get older, our metabolism slows down and we can no longer burn calories at the same rate as we used to. It therefore makes it easier for us to put on weight but harder for us to shed it. However, putting on weight has a more negative affect on seniors than it does any other age group.
Why eat healthy foods?
One of the most important considerations for seniors is getting good nutrition from food. A well balanced diet can boost their health, strength, and longevity, but a poor diet that does not fulfill all bodily nutritional requirements can actually cause it to deteriorate. This is especially dangerous for the elderly. After all, if they struggle to move how can they stay active and enjoy life?
Being overweight can put unnecessary stress on the joints and thus accelerate the effects of arthritis, osteoporosis and other bone and muscle disorders and illnesses. It can also bring about the onset of diabetes, which is more common in seniors than in any other age group.
There are a number of reasons why seniors are not eating the healthy meals they need to keep them strong and active. Besides the metabolic changes noted above which leads to poor absorption of nutrients, aging seniors also must contend with:
- Eating alone – which often leads to less nutritious meals
- Requiring fewer calories, but eating the same amount of food
- Eating junk food with empty calories
- Experiencing the side effects of drugs that can decrease or increase their appetite; changes metabolism and absorption rate
- Illnesses or diseases such as diabetes, cancer, or heart disease
Unfortunately for seniors, poor nutrition can speed up the aging process. While seniors should enjoy a little of what he or she loves to eat every now and again no matter how unhealthy it may be, a regular balanced nutritious diet is just what the doctor will order!
What food is healthy?
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Grains
- Lean protein
- Increase in dietary fiber
What about drinks?
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit alcoholic drinks
Although seniors should eat at least three times a day, eating smaller portions five to six times a day will keep help there absorption of the nutrients and increase their metabolism.
They should also limit salt; many senior citizens are placed on low salt diets due to water retention and swelling of feet and ankles.
Meal Planning?
While some experts suggest meal planning, preplanned meals are often difficult to follow due to lack of hunger or desire for the food listed on the plan. Keeping favorite nutritious foods in the home will go a long way in prompting seniors to eat healthier meals.
All seniors should enjoy life to the fullest extent, but eating healthy meals on a regular basis can actively extend the amount of time they have left to enjoy it! Senior nutrition is one of the most important considerations we need to be aware of in our parents, grandparents, or other seniors in our lives. The healthier they are the more active and vibrant their senior years will be. We can play a role in their longevity by making sure they eat nutritious food and drink plenty of water.
5 responses so far ↓
1 kazumi // Jun 12, 2012 at 3:48 pm
I totally agree about your point of view! Sometimes I even feet a bit frustrated why more people are focused on medications while the nutritional education can solve some of their problems!!!
2 Grabbing/pick-up tool // Jul 2, 2012 at 2:18 pm
Your article tells us about senior nutrition and what’s needed to stay healthy and fit. I think we all have to worry about nutrition and staying fit and active. Yes obesity is a problem for us all especially those who can’t get around as easily as they used to for whatever reason. Be it age or disability. I do agree that eating alone all the time can be difficult for anyone. I have a friend who is 51 years old and said to me last night “why cook? I just don’t feel like it sometimes being alone”. I don’t know why it states in the article about not hearing about malnourished/undernourished seniors. I find that hard to believe. For many years I can remember hearing about the elderly buying cat food to eat because they didn’t have enough money to buy food to eat.
I worked for 32 1/2 years in the medical field before stopping due to health issues and there were a few of my patients who had to make a choice either to buy medicine, food, pay their bills such as rent/mortgage, utilities or whatever just to try to survive. Process of elimination sometimes!
Kazumi feels “frustrated” because he/she thinks that nutritional education would solve “some” of their problems and that they shouldn’t be so focused on medication. I disagree. Everyone would love to eat the good nutritious food we’re supposed to but who can afford it? Even a lot of younger people (boomers) are having a difficult time let alone the elderly who are on a tight fixed income. While I was working I had several patients who went to their community centers everyday for a nutritious lunch. That was one way for them to save on 1 meal per day. They also would apply for government assisted programs to aid them with their utilities. I would push them to try and contact some of the drug companies which medicines they were on to get on their assistance programss to get free or reduced meds. I also would grag as many samples as I could for these people who were struggling and it meant the world to them. Also to me because I could see how much I was helping them and eleviating one less stressor for them.
I wish I didn’t have to depend on my meds. It’s not mind over matter or eating “right”. My disability has no cure in sight. After many years of research they’ve finally come out with with an oral medicine!! Otherwise I was subjected to injections every other day which I was slightly allergic to. That was not enjoyable at all – and consequently I became non-compliant for about 6-9 months in which time my disease progressed. Yes I am focused on my meds. Because without them I can’t walk as well, I’m troubled with restless leg syndrome at night which keeps me up at night which without my medicine my legs/feet would be jumping all over the place, or perhaps the meds. I take for the spasticity in my muscles.Yes I would like to not be so focused on my medicines. But without them I’m up a creek without the proverbial paddle. I do agree that a good nutritious diet would be great for all to try and follow but unfortunately with the high cost of things going up even more one does have to worry about medicine if we are to try and function throughout the day.
This article can give one something to think about and consider for a better lifestyle and to just feel better all the way around.
3 Edie // Jul 3, 2012 at 3:15 am
Thank you for your comprehensive response and the valid points you make. Also, for sharing your experience. I will check out the comment about not hearing about mal or under nurished seniors as I know that is not the case. It may be a misprint. In that case I will correct it. I have heard of people eating catfood and other products that were not of nutritional value. I remember my grandparents who had hotdogs and greenbeans for almost every lunch and dinner for years. For some reason I didn’t realize it was because they didn’t have the money for anything better. Thanks again for your comments.
4 Edie // Jul 3, 2012 at 3:17 am
I checked the article and I think the point was that we hear more about obesity than we do undernourished elders, at least in the news and on adds, etc. Malnourishment is a problem and sounds like we need to specifically address that issue as well. Again, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
5 Grabbing/pick-up tool // Jul 5, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Hello Edie;
Thank-You for your response. I’d be very interested in doing guest posting for you if that’s something you would be interested in. You can always send me an e-mail and let me know if you are interested. Again,it was my pleasure reading & responding to your article.
Grabbing/pick-up tool
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