Nutrition Advice for Seniors That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Nutrition science evolved too fast for anyone’s comfort. And it kept changing. Especially for people who struggled with weight and heart conditions and doubly so for our senior population. One day it is Keto Diet, the other day it is cucumber diet-it seems that bizarre dieting trends have no end. However, there are some time-tested nutritionist approved rules that we must follow in order to feel upbeat in our ageing bodies. If you are looking for a customised nutrition plan for your loved ones, then Primary Medical Care Center for Seniors in Delray Beach has some of the best nutritionists in town on board to help you make one. In this article we will learn about some basic nutrition strategies that will help us inch closer towards our health goals. Let’s begin:
- Lack of appetite should not mean lack of nutrition
It is generally observed that senior adults consume less calories due to various reasons. It could be a side effect of their medicines or it could be resulting from loss in the senses of taste and smell. This generally results in taking fewer calories and compromising on nutrition. Health Supplements are designed to furnish the requisite vitamins and other nutrients without having to consume more. Health supplements are being made in various forms and not necessarily pills. Liquid Meal replacements have flocked the market and once approved from your consulting doctor, you must try to include them in your diet. Now the question arises, what budget-friendly health supplements are the best to take:
- Since there are chances that seniors might not be getting enough sunlight exposure, they must take Vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is known to relieve chronic pain and is also known to prevent heart diseases.
- Vitamin B12 is another necessary supplement primarily because some digestive systems have difficulty absorbing it and its deficiency is linked to dementia.
- Osteoporosis is common in senior women, making Calcium a necessary health supplement
- Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for the functioning of the brain while the brain has a hard time absorbing this nutrient as seen in the case of seniors. Therefore, it makes for another essential health supplement.
It is prudent to get a customised health and nutrition plan devised from a qualified nutritionist rather than making assumptions about your peculiar requirements. Primary Medical Care Center for Seniors in Delray Beach has nutritionists who take a comprehensive assessment of your health needs before charting out a plan and helping you stay on track by monitoring it continuously.
- Hydration is key
Old bodies retain much less water than their younger counterparts, sometimes as less as 5 to 10 percent. This makes seniors consume much less water than their body requires. It seems as if ageing bodies are averse to water in the sense that even small quantities of water may make a senior full, cause bloating and worsen incontinence. Due to the deteriorating sense of thirst, seniors do not feel it even if they are on the verge of dehydration. All this points out the importance of not relying only on your instinct to hydrate yourself. Dehydration is linked with all sorts of conditions like headaches, dizziness, lethargy and even stroke. Not to mention constipation and other GI related conditions. It is important to note that every kind of beverage counts towards hydration, be it tea, coffee, juices, soft drinks, flavoured water etc.
Other than this the diet should be kept relatively simple and no nonsense. Softer foods, having more mealtimes and spicing up your food (in a controlled manner) count towards maintaining a nutritious diet for seniors.