Having balanced nutrition is a crucial part of enjoying good health, however, it can be hard for individuals at any age, especially older adults. While it is easy to just toss out recipes and nutritional breakdowns, there is so much more that goes into having good food like grocery shopping, income, cooking abilities, availability of time, as well as dietary needs and preferences. In fact, this is only a short list of the physical constraints that may take place and that there may be so many other issues that can lead to poor nutritional intake due to underlying health conditions, emotional, cognitive, and mental wellbeing, and even due to the effect of medications.
However, studies done by the World Health Organization have suggested that having a proper diet can help to decrease the risk of a large portion of diseases that affect the population, especially those who are older. For older adults, this means relying on a caregiver, takeout, or other forms of assistance with regards to ensuring they have the necessities to eat well.
If you or your loved one is struggling to stick to a diet plan, here are some tips to improve their nutritional intake.
Choose Foods That Are Higher In Nutritional Value
As we grow older, it is normal that we will no longer require as many calories as someone who is younger. Thus, a good way to ensure that you are making the most out of your meals is to choose food that have less calories but higher nutritional value like fruits and vegetables, legumes, lean meat, and eggs.
What this does is that it limits the amount of empty calories that you take in which do not have nutritional benefits. Examples of foods that are high in empty calories include soda, chips, and candy. It is important to note that this does not mean that you cut these foods out of your life completely. What it means is that you should manage your intake in moderation.
Stay Hydrated
For many older adults, it is likely that they do not feel thirsty as often as they should. However, it is important that they still stick to the same amount of water intake. The guideline is to drink around 64 fluid ounces of water each day. This amount will differ depending on the activities that you are taking part in – if you are going to be out in the sun and sweating more often, it would be a good idea to drink more.
Add Variety To Your Meals
One of the best ways to get someone to eat more is to introduce food that is delicious and exciting. For some people, it can mean sticking to tried and tested comfort food, but for others it can be really helpful to have variety when it comes to options at meal times. Whether it is incorporating different textures or flavors, preventing repetitive meals can help to encourage your loved one to look forward to meals more.
Enjoy Nutritious Meals With Sensations Dining at Rittenhouse Village at Muhlenberg
Here at Rittenhouse Village at Muhlenberg, we understand that not everyone is eating poorly by choice. Especially for older adults that live alone, this might be a reality of life due to existing circumstances. If you are struggling to accomplish activities of daily living by yourself, it might be time to consider moving into a senior living community. Not only will there be exclusive senior living programs that provide nutritional and delicious food, but your other concerns like transportation, fitness, and even housekeeping can be easily met by the team members.
For more information on our senior living options, contact us today.
