Why Do Seniors Require A Special Diet And How They Can Go About It

A balanced diet at every age is key and should be taken up earnestly. But when it comes to the elderly, a lot more attention is required to the diet than usual. The purpose of a balanced diet is to make sure that the body gets the nutrients it requires. Nutrients that the body requires to function are Carbohydrates, Proteins, Vitamins, and Minerals. Not to forget, water is also vital in a balanced diet. Hence, seniors should make sure to drink an adequate amount of water on a daily basis to stay healthy. However, as you age your body continues to change as per your food and lifestyle choices. That’s why older adults should take note of their food choices, keeping in mind the need for fewer calories and the requirement of other nutrients to stay fit and fine.

While there are factors like home life, health, medicines, income, decreasing sense of smell and taste, and problems in chewing food that make it difficult for the elderly to eat and stay healthy. It is absolutely important to take care of a few eating habits. Having a nutrient-rich diet without many calories is one of the healthy eating habits. A nutrient-rich diet would include fruits and vegetables, whole grains like oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, brown rice, low-fat milk, and cheese (you could opt for soy or rice milk in case you are vegan), seafood, poultry, eggs, beans, nuts and lastly seeds. All of these food options provide excellent nutrition and helps in maintaining a healthy diet.

As mentioned above, it is for the best to stick to a nutrient-rich diet and avoid empty calories after a certain age. Chips, candy, baked goods, soda, and alcohol are foods with lots of calories but very few nutrients. Thus, these food items should best be avoided. Inculcating a habit of eating food that has low cholesterol and fat would be great. Avoiding saturated and trans fats is always a good idea. Saturated fat generally comes from animals. Trans fats are processed fats in margarine and vegetable shortening. Drinking enough liquids to stay hydrated is also of the utmost importance. As medications tend to increase with increasing age, it becomes even more important to have plenty of fluids. 

Our bodies change as we age. It starts with the senses of hearing, smell, and taste. These perceptual changes can influence the need for nutrition later in life. The physiological changes due to age include changes in energy and bodily functions. There are several other age-related changes that require special dietary changes, like gastrointestinal changes, dentition, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiencies. 

Hence, it is important for elderly people to know what a healthy plate looks like. Seniors should understand the importance and necessity of including nutrients in their meals, reading the nutrient facts label, using recommended servings, staying hydrated, and also stretching your food budget. Taking care of your food habits will ensure a long and healthy life.

At Primus, we aim to bring seniors balance in every aspect of life. With tailor-made meals to meet their requirements, we ensure that seniors are able to enjoy a healthy and happy life. Located on Kanakapura Road, our senior living home is giving seniors to take a break from the mundane and potentially risky chores like cooking, cleaning, and maintaining a house and instead encourage them to relax, unwind and enjoy!