“Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.” – Denis Waitley
This quote encapsulates the importance of keeping your body and mind healthy while you are graced with the time to do so, especially for seniors. Seniors have an increased risk of developing chronic conditions due to declining cell generation speed. This means that seniors especially must have health and nutrition at the forefront of their minds.
Research has shown that malnutrition is increasingly common in older adults [1], stemming from disease-related weight loss, inadequate food intake, poor nutrient absorption, and more [2]. Although some of the variables that influence malnutrition during your later years are less controllable, some can be combated. In particular, your food intake and diet can be fairly simply changed to increase your nutrition. By increasing your knowledge of nutrition and eating healthy, you will bolster your overall well-being during the later stages of your life. Keep reading to learn how!
The Importance of Nutrition for Seniors
As you age, your metabolism begins to slow down—particularly after you hit 60 years old [3]. This means that your body burns calories much slower than it once did when you were younger. This can lead to weight gain if your diet stays the same. To combat this, individuals may need to adjust their diets and calorie intake to match their lower metabolism.
Additionally, aging can also impact one’s nutrient absorption and digestion. This can make it difficult for seniors to take in all the nutrients they need from their diet. To ensure they are meeting their nutritional needs, older adults will likely need to focus more on nutrient-dense foods and consider taking vitamin supplements if they have deficiencies. The main vitamins recommended for seniors, particularly if they are nutrient deficient, include vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and more [4].
Health Benefits of Proper Nutrition for Seniors
Maintaining a healthy diet plays a large role in maintaining health for seniors, as it impacts various aspects of their well-being, including cognitive function, bone health, and immune system strength. Foods rich in nutrients, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, provide the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants required for optimal brain health [5]. These nutrients can combat cognitive decline and memory loss.
A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, which helps strengthen bone health, is essential for preventing diseases like osteoporosis, which is a condition classified by weak and brittle bones. Seniors must consume dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified cereals to support bone health [6]. Likewise, consuming an appropriate amount of protein is important for preserving muscle mass, which can help prevent falls and fractures.
A strong immune system is key to living a long and happy life. Thankfully, choosing to maintain a healthy diet can nourish your immune system, which helps ward off infections and diseases. Foods high in antioxidants, like berries, nuts, and seeds, can reduce inflammation and support immune function [7]. By keeping a balanced diet, seniors can also reduce their risk of age-related conditions like heart disease, as a diet low in saturated fats and high in fiber can help keep cholesterol levels at bay and maintain cardiovascular health.
Challenges Faced in Maintaining a Healthy Diet for Seniors[8]
Maintaining a healthy diet is easier said than done. It will take vigilance and hard work to swap out unhealthy and processed foods for a fresh and healthy diet. For many seniors, this is a challenge for a variety of reasons. Addressing challenges regarding maintaining a healthy diet may be difficult, but in the end, it is important to keep yourself the healthiest you can be.
Limited Mobility
First, limited mobility can make it difficult to take a trip to the grocery store and prepare meals. Fortunately, there are meal delivery services nowadays that can provide seniors with ready-to-eat meals or fresh groceries that are balanced and tailored to their dietary needs. With the help of these services, seniors can avoid the burden of meal prep and ensure that seniors with the inability to visit a grocery store still get the nutrition they need.
Financial Constraints
Second, seniors may be dealing with financial constraints that can restrict their access to healthy foods. It may feel easier for them to opt for unhealthy fast food or processed items. A possible solution to this is utilizing community programs like senior centers or food assistance programs, for affordable or sometimes free meals for seniors, as well as options for socialization and community-building.
Changes in Taste
Lastly, changes in taste, which can occur due to age or certain medication side effects, may also lead to a decrease in appetite or a preference for highly flavorful processed foods. Nobody wants to eat tasteless food! Simple changes to your diet, such as incorporating lots of spices and herbs, can help enhance flavor and combat the change in taste perception. Plus, certain spices and herbs are great for immune health, so it is a win-win!
Nutritional Planning and Senior Diet Tips
Meal planning and preparation may feel like an unnecessary chore, but with the proper tips, can be easy. First, focus on easily accessible nutrient-rich foods that don’t require much preparation. For example, fill your pantry with canned or frozen organic fruits and vegetables. These are convenient to prepare yet still packed with nutrients [9]. Specifically, look for low-sodium canned goods and frozen items without added sugars, syrups, or sauces.
Consider purchasing canned beans, tuna, and chicken, which are all high in protein. These can be added to salads or sandwiches for an extra boost in nutrition. Eggs are also a great source of protein and can be prepared in a variety of ways—-fried, scrambled, boiled, and more—to provide some nuance in your diet and add to a meal. Additionally, greek yogurt and cottage cheese are easy on-the-go snacks that can provide a great deal of calcium and protein. You can also mix these bases with some fruit for a yummy yet nutritious snack or breakfast!
When meal planning, simplicity, and convenience should be your top priorities. One-pot meals like soups, stews, and casseroles can be nutritious and easy to make in one batch with low maintenance. Invest in a slow cooker or instant pot for easy preparation of these meals. You can also opt for pre-cut vegetables and fruits to cut out the extra time it will take to chop up these ingredients.
The Role of Senior Nutritional Counseling Services
Healthcare providers and caregivers are like a tag team in helping seniors maintain nutrition and stay as healthy as possible. Healthcare providers, like senior primary care doctors and dieticians, assess a senior’s nutritional needs, especially if they have preexisting health conditions that affect their nutritional intake. They then guide diets and supplements that may help them. Senior healthcare providers make note of spotting potential red flags in the senior’s health and taking them into account when creating a treatment plan.
Caregivers play an equally important role in keeping up with their senior’s health. They make sure meals are prepared, groceries are in the cabinet, and their seniors are eating all meals.
Communication and collaboration between healthcare providers and caregivers is key. Seniors must feel comfortable being honest with their healthcare providers about what they are eating and any challenges they may be facing regarding their health or well-being. Caregivers must be in the loop too, so they can provide the right support and answer any questions the senior may have trouble remembering. Everyone has a role in maintaining senior health, and every role holds value.
Promoting Healthy Eating Habits in Senior Communities[10]
Many seniors may choose to live in a senior living community, which luckily cooks daily meals for them. In senior living communities and assisted care facilities, promoting nutrition does not just entail having vegetables present on the plate. Instead, individuals who run these facilities truly care about creating an experience that nourishes the body and overall health of the senior. Communal dining, for example, where seniors come together and share meals, promotes social well-being. This is like a big family dinner where seniors can share a community and talk about their days, which creates a sense of belonging and combats loneliness.
Communal dining also has practical benefits, like ensuring seniors are eating regularly at appropriate times. It is a great way to introduce different foods into their diet, as new foods are often served, catering to different tastes and dietary needs.
Living communities may also incorporate social activities related to nutrition, like cooking classes, gardening clubs, or even fun classes on health and diets. This helps educate and empower seniors to make well-informed decisions about their health.
Services for Nutrition in Primary Care for Seniors at Greater Good
All in all, as a senior, it is vital to assess whether or not you are getting the proper nutrition and take proactive steps towards a healthy nutrition-full diet. For more information, contact Greater Good Health so we can support you on your wellness journey through senior-focused primary care!