Tips on Elderly Nutrition/Super Foods

It’s no secret that we are all supposed to have a healthy, well-balanced diet. This means we should all be consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins and whole grains. Easier said than done, right? Of course we know what we should be eating the question is are we doing it. We all know that it is important to eat healthy when we are young because we are growing. But it’s just as important the older we get.

Our diets affect everything from our mood to our overall health. As we age things start to change: our memories fade, our immune systems deteriorate, our mobility decreases, and the list goes on. Our diets can help us to stay in our best condition, longer. Eating well improves our mental acuteness, resistance to illness, and our energy levels, as well as helping us to maintain our blood sugar and pressure levels.
So what’s “healthy eating” look like when we get older? We still need to stick to varieties of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains but there’s a few things we can add/ change to get the most out of our diets.

Here are a coupe tips to consider as we get older:

Add Some More Fiber

As we age, our digestion becomes less than efficient, which is why it’s so crucial to add more fiber to our diets. An easy way to add more fiber is our breakfast, oatmeal, whole grain cereals, or simply adding dried fruits to what we already eat. Other good sources of fiber that can be added throughout the day are whole grains, beans, nuts, vegetables such as carrots, celery, and tomatoes, and fruit

Don’t Cut Fat- Focus on Healthy Fats

Not all fats are bad fats, healthy fats can protect your body from diseases and support brain function and activity. Omega 3 are fatty acids found in salmon or anchovies, and monounsaturated fats are found in foods such as olive oil, avocados, nuts: healthy and delicious!

High- Quality Protein makes a High Quality Life

Low quality proteins like hot dogs, salami, and bacon (processed red meats) can increase the likelihood of heart disease, cancer, or other health conditions. Having a higher quality protein can improve moods, stress levels, and though clarity. Don’t rely on only meats, fish, nuts, and eggs all make for great sources of proteins that are often overlooked.

Your diet doesn’t have to be outrageous, keeping a consistent, well-balanced diet can change our lives for the better making them last even longer. If we pay attention to what we’re putting in our bodies we’ll see results in our health and overall lifestyles.