Healthy eating habits for seniors can be difficult to maintain. As we get older, it becomes imperative to pay close attention to nutrition because the body cannot withstand or bounce back from poor nutrition like our younger bodies could. It is even more imperative for those who have nutrition-based diseases like diabetes to pay close attention to their eating habits.
Typically, seniors do not have the diligence or sometimes the whereabouts to keep up with healthy eating habits. Therefore, Sunny Days In-Home Care has put together a quick guide of 3 healthy eating tips for seniors to help your seniors stay on top of their health! Keep reading to learn more.
Healthy Eating Habits For Seniors:
1. Focus on Nutrient-Rich Foods
One of the most important healthy eating tips for seniors is to make sure their diet focuses on nutrient-rich foods. Some easy ways to do that are by double-checking they are eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources.
Even thou
gh, specific fruits and vegetables have different nutritional values, across the board fruits and vegetables are essential for a well-rounded diet. Fruits and vegetables are packed with important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
Whole grains are another sector of food that is often overlooked but so important especially for seniors. Whole grains not only provide vitamins and minerals but also help control cholesterol levels, weight, and blood pressure. Some examples of whole grains are whole oats, brown rice, and quinoa.
Lastly, lean meats are a great source of protein filled with essential nutrients. Protein helps us build and sustain healthy muscles and bones and helps create the hormones and enzymes we need in our bodies. Some great choices for lean meat are poultry, lamb, and beef.
2. Adequate Hydration
Next on our list of healthy eating habits for seniors is adequate hydration. Water is the foundation of all life, so no wonder adults need it too. Another one of our favorite healthy eating tips for seniors is making sure your senior is incorporating hydration into their everyday activities. Hydration plays a huge role in our bowel movements, what our body absorbs, and how our body breaks down food. If your senior has a difficult time with their digestion, lack of hydration can be making it worse! Some easy ways to make sure your senior is hydrated are by simply enough drinking water each day, and consuming hydrating food like fruits and veggies.
3. Build Balanced Meals
One of the most common misconceptions is that you can replace certain foods with others to fill the void of that “missing” food group. Seniors need to be eating balanced meals every day to ensure that they are getting the full range of nutrients they need. As a young person, indulging in certain foods may have no effect, but the older someone gets the greater likelihood they may be subject to the consequences of not having a well-rounded diet.
Having a balanced diet can increase energy levels, prolong the effects of diet-related diseases, and give them the strength to move through their day-to-day. Some easy ways to incorporate a balanced diet in your senior’s life are to help their meal prep, help them not overeat or undereat in certain areas, and help them choose proper snack choices.
Where Sunny Days Can Help:
Having to create a diet for a loved one can be difficult to uphold and maintain. That’s where we come in! Sunny Days In-Home Care has trained professionals ready to assist you and your senior loved one in carrying out everyday tasks to ensure they are eating healthy and you are stress-free.
Overall,
Nutrition is essential for everyone, especially our aging loved ones. We hope our healthy eating habits for seniors were helpful and this guide will help you build a diet for you or your senior loved one. To learn more about Sunny Days In-Home Care, please click the link below.
