Nutrition for Seniors: A Practical Guide
Having access to good nutrition for seniors is absolutely vital to maintain optimum health in retirement. With malnutrition associated with a whole host of symptoms and illnesses, from tiredness and lack of energy to a reduced ability to fight off infection and a heightened risk of falls, it’s easy to see how senior diets can directly impact quality of life.
Why Might Getting the Right Nutrition Become Difficult?
Unfortunately, gaining access to the best food for seniors can become challenging, with aging adults facing an array of barriers from physical and medical to social and emotional. For example, seniors experiencing reduced mobility may no longer manage to get to the grocery store, and those with difficulties in chewing and swallowing might prioritize foods that are easy to eat over those with better nutritional value. Reduced appetite is also common, with many seniors finding food less appealing due to a natural decline in sense of smell and taste, or feeling less hunger due to reduced activity levels and metabolism.
What can Improve Senior Diets?
Strive for a Varied Diet
Including a variety of foods is often a great starting point in improving senior diets. Try to incorporate a range of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, protein, and oils in meals throughout the day, while reducing foods rich in sodium, fats and added sugars where possible. By eating a wider variety of foods, meals will likely contain more essential nutrients to support good health.
Great examples of:
- Fruits and vegetables: Blueberries, spinach and leafy greens, carrots, broccoli
- Protein: Poultry, meat, eggs, beans, peas
- Grains: Oatmeal, rice, noodles, bread, barley, popcorn
- Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt
- Oils: Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil
Getting adequate protein is especially useful for aging seniors, as this vital macronutrient aids muscle growth and repair alongside immunity. Incorporating plenty of protein can therefore help prevent muscle loss that can occur with aging, while also helping seniors fight off infection. Micronutrients are worth considering, too, with Vitamins A, B-12, C, D, K and calcium being of particular importance. Vitamin A, for example, may help maintain good vision, vitamin B-12 can boost energy and mood while preventing anemia, and calcium is paramount for healthy bones and teeth.
Sources of:
- Vitamin A: Leafy dark greens, cheese, cream, carrots
- Vitamin B-12: Meat, poultry, eggs, milk, fish
- Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, strawberries, peppers, tomatoes
- Vitamin D: Liver, fortified milk, egg yolks
- Vitamin K: Kale, spinach, broccoli, asparagus
Consider Hydration
Good hydration can enhance the benefits of improving nutrition for seniors. Dehydration is common in older adults, who often become less sensitive to the body’s thirst signals. This, combined with issues like decreased kidney functioning can lead to unpleasant symptoms like muscle cramps, dizziness or fainting. What’s more, prolonged dehydration may also lead to secondary health issues like kidney stones or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Hydration can be improved by drinking water or milk both with and between meals and snacks, while also eating foods rich in water content like fruits, vegetables, and soups.
Prioritize Enjoyment of Food for Seniors
While including a good range of important nutrients within senior diets is important, so is quality of life. Eating foods we enjoy can contribute hugely to overall life satisfaction, and this needn’t be sacrificed in the quest for a healthier diet. Many firm favorite meals can be easily adapted to include a little more nutritional goodness. For example, if you or your loved one enjoys a hearty mac and cheese for dinner, why not serve this alongside a portion of broccoli, or stir in some wilted spinach for a healthy dose of vitamin K? Or if oatmeal is a go-to breakfast, add some color with fresh blueberries, strawberries or raspberries.
Explore Senior Living
If getting the right nutritious foods has become more challenging for you or a senior loved one, a fully catered senior living facility in CO like Columbine Chateau could offer the perfect solution. With freshly prepared meals and snacks available daily, residents no longer need worry about buying groceries or planning, preparing and cooking meals. Not only do seniors receive delicious, hassle-free meals daily, but menus are expertly formulated to meet the unique nutritional requirements of aging seniors. In 24-hour senior living, senior diets are carefully monitored, with any eating difficulties being identified and addressed swiftly to prevent malnutrition and associated health risks.
What are the Benefits of Good Nutrition for Seniors?
Malnutrition and unintentional or rapid weight loss is a common struggle for aging seniors, and can lead to a whole host of health complications, including dry skin, mouth sores, joint pain, irritability and depression. Nutritional deficiencies may also lead to issues like fatigue, muscle and bone loss, accelerated decline in vision and a compromised immune system. Having access to the right food for seniors can drastically improve quality of life for aging adults. Good nutrition can lead to increased energy levels, in turn allowing seniors to engage in more of the life-enhancing activities, hobbies and social events they love. By boosting immune functioning, good nutrition for seniors may also reduce their risk of ill health, while improving recovery from any illnesses or injuries they do encounter.
Want to Know More?
In senior living facilities in Colorado Springs, food for seniors can be tailored to meet both individual nutritional needs and personal preferences, while also catering to any special dietary requirements, allergies, or intolerances. To discover more about how Columbine Chateau consistently strives to enhance senior diets, get in touch or arrange a tour today.
Please note: Prior to making changes to a senior’s diet, it is advisable to speak to their doctor or dietician to discuss their personalized needs.