An Apple A Day- Seniors And Nutrition
Each and every time you turn on the television or open a general interest magazine today, you’re bound to be confronted with a story regarding the startling and ever-growing worldwide problem of obesity. A lot more people are unhealthily overweight, to the point where eating can actually endanger our lives. There have always been some individuals that have eaten unhealthily, mainly because naughty foods taste so great, however the population as a whole now has to consider how our diets are affecting us. We can become sluggish and lethargic when we’re getting the wrong levels of nutrients and so conscious thought about what we put into our bodies is vital, and this especially applies to seniors.
As we grow older, our metabolism slows down and we can’t burn calories at the same rate as we used to. It therefore makes it easier for us to put on weight but more difficult for us to shed it. However, putting on weight has a more negative affect on seniors than it does any other age group. Being overweight can put unnecessary stress on your joints and thus accelerate the affects of arthritis, osteoporosis along with other bone and muscle disorders and illnesses. Additionally, it can bring about the start of diabetes, which is more prevalent in seniors when compared to any other age bracket as it is. While any senior should enjoy a little of what she or he loves to eat every now and again, regardless of how unhealthy it may be, a regular balanced nutritious diet is exactly what the physician orders!
A typical senior diet should include:
* 5 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, although more of the latter than the former
* 6 to 10 servings of complex carbohydrates each day, which incorporates rice, pasta, bread and cereals
* 2 or 3 helpings of calcium-based products, which includes milk, cheese and yoghurt (although the low fat variety would work out best)
* 2 to 3 servings of meat, poultry or fish each day to supply the body with protein
* A great deal of fiber during the day, which can also be found in the cereals, fruit and vegetables mentioned above
All of the foodstuffs in the list above are finely balanced as far as amount are concerned. This diet would fulfil every nutritional need that the senior has and would encourage good health. However, dieticians do advise that seniors avoid saturated fats and sodium. The latter, also known as salt, is often a factor of increased blood pressure. Therefore, salt should only b used sparingly. Most natural foods do contain salt, however in healthy doses, and so excess salt ought to be avoided. Avoid baking with it if at all possible, and attempt to resist that liberal sprinkle on your main meal! Saturated fat is in fact resistant to your body’s nutritional process. In other words it is not broken down and used for good within your body. It just sits there and clogs your arteries. Consequently, it is a factor in heart problems, forms of cancer and gallbladder disease, as well as the widespread obesity in modern society.
A well balanced diet can boost your health, but an unhealthy diet that does not fulfil all bodily nutritional requirements can actually cause it to deteriorate. In seniors, this is especially dangerous. After all, if you find it difficult to move, then how are you likely to work off the excess weight? If you’re in shape you can avoid immobility. It is therefore a vicious circle that may relate directly on your diet.
All seniors should enjoy life to the fullest extent, but eating healthily regularly can actively extend the amount of time you have left to enjoy it! Make the most of every opportunity because you only have one chance at life. Revolutionize your diet and reap the rewards!
These are interesting points we wrote in our post, but it isn’t the only place to find this subject. We have found other places like this one about senior care that you might find facinating also. If you liked the post please share it with your pals on Twitter.
