Healthy food selection and eating for seniors is very important

You must have heard the popular saying “you are what you eat” this is quite

true, especially when old age catches up with you. It is important that we start

eating healthy as we grow old, and the intake should comprise more of

bananas, apples, cucumber, lettuce, and spinach, instead of chips, and other

crispies fried in oil. Moreover, with old age comes the problem of being

vulnerable to health problems arising due to malnutrition. It is very difficult to

arrive at the right mix of food that will provide the required nutrients as most

of it cannot be absorbed due to the poor rate of metabolism as one grows

older.

Interacting with the right crowd

Thankfully, if you are part of some group formed in a senior retirement living

community you would be interacting with like-minded people on a daily basis.

This is a great way to exchange notes and keep abreast of what you need to

know about eating habits and nutrition in general. You need to remember that

if you want to be as brisk as you were in your younger days, and as mentally

sharp as well, you need to think before popping food into your mouth. You

need to eat nutritional food, and build up a diet that can fight against common

diseases effectively.

Calcium is vital

Your eyes are as important as your heart, and it is important to keep all your

vital organs in top condition, as age can play the villain at times and put you

into a lot of misery. Ensure that your diet comprises enough calcium, which is

essential for keeping your bones and teeth healthy. Osteoporosis is a common

condition that affects old people. Do remember that calcium cannot be very

effective without Vitamin D. Ask your dietician or the doctor who may be part of

the community living at housing for seniors and elderly, or even the doctor who

visits such places regularly.

The Right quantity of Fat

Fat content in the food you eat is another major cause of concern. While the

body requires a minimum quantity of fat to sustain itself, excess fat gets

absorbed into the blood stream and gets deposited in the blood vessels. This

can often lead to blocks in the coronary arteries and either lead to heart

diseases or strokes. Controlled intake of saturated fat helps one to remain

heart-healthy. Consuming food that contains more of Omega 3 fatty acids

helps reduce inflammation which is indicative of heart disease.

Don’t ignore fibre

Increased fibre content in the food you consume helps easier bowel

movements. Aging typically gives bowel related problems, and seniors living

with their children or in any of the retirement homes for senior citizens should

take care to include food containing fibre content in their diet. As mentioned

earlier Vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium, and the best source for

Vitamin D is sunlight. Exposing yourself for at least an hour to sunlight

everyday is a good way to get Vitamin D for free.

Citrus fruits

While including fruits in your diet is a great idea, it is important to consume

citrus fruits as they are a great source of Vitamin C, which is essential for

maintaining healthy skin, ligaments and blood vessels. There are several

vegetables too that have high content of Vitamin C like dark leafy greens, green

peas and tomatoes.

Author bio

Ananya Shelters through its signature project Ananya’s Nana Nani Homes

envisages an adorable residence for the retired with best ever modern day

amenities and dedicated residential services to make life after 50s stress free,

self-reliant and enlivening.