Find out how to ensure you remain nourished and healthy as you move into later life, avoiding the pitfalls of elderly malnutrition.
Eating a balanced diet is incredibly important as you move into later life. Eating the right foods helps you avoid weight gain, keeps you bouncing with energy, and ensures you receive all the nutrients you need to achieve optimum vitality.
According to The British Nutrition Foundation, eating right and moving regularly help to protect the older generation from age related conditions, including issues with bone, joint and oral health, as well as heart disease and cognitive problems.
The same foundation have found that malnutrition and obesity are prevalent in the older generation and a portion of the elderly, particularly those paying for care, have been found to be missing or struggling with low levels of essential micronutrients.
To avoid being part of the 10% of elderly people in the UKto suffer from malnutrition, avoiding all the downfalls of a bad diet, it is important to meet your nutritional needs daily. A live in carer will prepare healthy meals as they understand the importance of eating foods rich in nutrients, low in fat, processed sugar and salt that will stand you in good stead for maintaining good health into later life. The right nutrition is an essential part of good care of the elderly as their appetites change.
Adapting To Change As You Age
It is important to recognise that your nutritional needs will change as you age. You will require fewer calories to stay at a healthy weight. Your metabolism will slow down, you may move less and you could lose muscle mass, all leading to a need for less calories.
Your appetite may also reduce, as well as your ability to taste and smell. You may be on medication to manage chronic health conditions, which could also reduce your appetite.
This lack of appetite and need to eat less food could lead to malnutrition if your diet is not balanced.
Ensuring You Get The Support You Need
If you have lost support from family members and friends, or you have lost a spouse, this could change how you eat. Perhaps you suffer from depression which makes you avoid eating. Maybe you have relied on food being made for you for years and now you don’t know how to make it for yourself. There is a government led initiative called Meals On Wheels in the UK which offers a food delivery service for senior citizens. You may also want to speak to social services, your local council and to friends and family who can help you get the support you need.
Maintaining A Healthy Diet
Speak to your doctor about your nutrition needs if you are unsure where to start. As a general rule, eating nutrient rich foods will be really helpful. Fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, low-fat protein sources, whole grains and low fat sources of calcium are all excellent sources of nutrition.
Eating Well Leads To Living Well In Later Life
One of the best ways to avoid paying for the cost of care homes and to stay independent is to stay healthy. Great health begins with an excellent diet. Take a look at these further resources for more guidance on this topic: