This Cleveland Clinic article highlights the importance of a balanced diet for aging well
Health conversations around older adults tend to revolve around things like memory loss, safety and managing chronic conditions. What’s often overlooked? Senior nutrition.
The reality is that aging can come with changes to your health and your life that make eating a healthy diet harder to do. But older adults are particularly prone to shifts in weight. And keeping up a healthy diet that takes into consideration your changing nutritional needs and the challenges you face is important to aging in a healthy way.
Medical conditions and medication can make it hard to get proper nutrition as you age. They can affect your ability to exercise to maintain your muscle strength and your appetite. And if you have any mobility issues or can no longer drive, shopping for nutritious foods can be a big obstacle.
We also know that eating well is important to keeping frailty at bay. It’s important for keeping your brain active. And it’s important for your mental and emotional health as well.
Medical conditions that tend to afflict adults later in life can cause dramatic (and unhealthy) weight loss.
And as you age, your circumstances and lifestyle can lead to neglecting healthy eating habits.
Some older adults may need to make a focused effort to eat regularly.
Don’t skip meals. If you need a reminder, try adding mealtimes and snacks to your calendar or setting an alarm on your watch, computer or phone app to remind you when to eat.
Older adults can make sure they’re eating for their maximum health benefit by focusing on a few key diet needs like:
- Getting your fiber: Add fiber to meals with food like whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables.
- Eating healthy fats: Reduce your cholesterol and fat intake and make smarter choices by enjoying or preparing food with healthy fats, which include olive oil, avocados, salmon and walnuts.
- Reducing your salt consumption: Season dishes with herbs and other spices. Choose foods that are low in sodium or have no added salt.
- Limiting “white foods”: That includes things like white bread, rice and potatoes, which don’t provide much in terms of long-term nutritional value.
- Staying hydrated: Aging can put you at an increased risk for dehydration. Drink six 8-ounce glasses of water or other beverages daily (if you’re not on a fluid-restricted diet). Limit caffeine and alcohol.
- Maximizing your vitamin D intake: Increase your exposure to sunlight (always wearing sunscreen, of course!) and eat foods high in vitamin D — such as fatty fish, canned tuna, egg yolks, fortified milk and cereal or supplements (per approval from your healthcare provider).
Be sure to talk with your doctor about how to eat right for your best health. Your doctor may make other recommendations based on your unique medical history and overall personal health profile.
Read the full article here: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/
