Healthy Nutrition for Older People

Growing older and staying healthy

As you grow older, getting a nutritionally rich diet becomes even more important.

A healthy eating plan can never be outgrown. No matter at what stage of life you may be in, healthy nutrition is vitally important. However, as far as older adults are concerned, while the basic principles of a balanced diet are the same as at any other age, individual nutritional requirements usually do need to be modified.

Your overall future health will be affected according to the choices of food you make, whether you are 45 or 75, are home-bound or active. Healthy food choices along with lifestyle changes can reduce the chances of getting certain aging related diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease. Healthy nutrition also aids in the treatment as well as recuperation from illness.

While including healthy nutrition in your diet may not turn the clock back, it is known to make people feel more energetic and healthy longer. Consuming a nutritionally healthy diet involves eating a wide variety of healthy foods every day. After all, food is the source of energy, vitamins, protein, fiber, minerals and fluids you require in order to be healthy.

What are the factors that suggest high risk of poor nutrition?

There are various factors that can be indicative of higher risk of inadequate nutrition. In case you experience three or more of the factors given below, you need to consult a registered dietician or a physician:
Prolonged poor health
Poor dental health
Unexpected loss or gain in
weight
Inadequate eating habits
Taking medicines
Economic inadequacy
Inadequate social contacts
and loneliness

Being unable to take care of yourself

Facts about Nutrition for Older People

The same types of nutrients are required by older people as are needed by younger people, except that the amounts are different. As one gets older, one requires fewer calories compared to when one is younger. The reason being, that with the decrease of muscle mass and a reduction of physical activity, there is less energy required for the basic processes of the body. Nevertheless, contrary to general misconception, the basic requirements of nutrients do not decrease as well with aging. As a matter of fact, older people require increased amounts of certain nutrients. The challenging aspect is to create a plan for eating that provides lots of nutrients without too much calories. Of course, calorie requirements are dependent not only on age, but also on the activity level.

A nutritional eating plan can be achieved by selecting foods that are high in fiber and low in fat such as cereals and breads made with whole grains, vegetables and fruits, along with healthy fats and oils. Plus, of course, adequate amounts of protein foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, meat, and beans. Also, while foods that are high in calories, fat, and sugar can be indulged in occasionally, it is best to limit their consumption.

One of the best ways of incorporating a nutritionally healthy diet is to consume a wide range of foods, with the focus being on vegetables, fruits and whole grains.