Senior Nutrition 101: Five Healthy Eating Tips
National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign celebrated throughout March. This campaign encourages everyone to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and physical activity habits to follow all year long. Developing healthy habits is especially important as you age. Your metabolism slows, your senses weaken, your body requires more of certain nutrients, and you’re more likely to develop chronic conditions, so making healthy choices can help ensure your overall well-being over time.
The older you are, the more important it becomes to choose foods that give you the best nutritional value. That is why Senior Helpers Portland West has compiled a list of our top five healthy eating tips that seniors and caretakers can follow to ensure good nutrition and overall wellness during National Nutrition Month and for the years to come!
1. Know your nutrients
Nutrients in foods help our bodies stay healthy and active. Knowing which nutrients are important will help you decide what foods to include in your diet. A healthy meal should include:
- Lean proteins such as lean meats, seafood, eggs, and beans
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains such as brown rice and whole wheat pasta
- Low-fat dairy
2. Plan your meals
If you know what you are going to eat throughout the week, you can avoid making un-healthy choices out of convenience.
3. Cut down on sugar
Slowly reduce the number of sugary foods you eat and replace them with whole foods that are naturally sweet such as fruit or sweet peppers.
4. Season food with herbs and spices
Adding salt to food can cause health issues, instead try seasoning your food with herbs and spices that are low in sodium.
5. Create a healthy senior diet
Your nutritional needs change as your body ages, so it is vital to choose foods that will be beneficial to your age and medical needs. For example, choosing calcium rich foods to maintain bone health or healthy fats such as omega-3s that can protect your body from disease and support brain function. These nutritional values are especially important as you get older.
Celebrate National Nutrition Month with us as we promote the health and wellness of everyone, especially our older generations. Senior Helpers Portland West offers a multitude of services that can be catered to your senior loved one’s needs including their nutritional needs. Our Personal Care Services include meal planning and diet monitoring to help make aging in place a possibility throughout our community. Visit our website today to learn more about our Personal Care Services and all the specialized care services we offer at Senior Helpers Portland West!