Senior Nutrition: Eating the Right Things as You Age
The right senior nutrition will help you prevent age-related illnesses. Use this list to create the best meal plan for your health.
Did you know that around 17% of the population in the United States is 65 years old or older? With such a large group, it’s crucial that we pay attention to the foods we eat as we get older to maintain our health and well-being.
As more people are waiting to have kids and raising smaller families than before, we can expect the senior population to continue to boom over the next few generations. With this in mind, it’s crucial for all of us to educate ourselves on senior welfare topics so we can all support each other.
Are you well-versed in senior nutrition? Eating healthy matters at all ages, but it becomes even more vital as we get older. Keep reading our guide if you’d like to dive deeper into the world of senior nutrition so you can make sure that you cover all of your bases.
Managing Your Calories and Staying Active as You Age
One of the hardest aspects of getting older is learning how to reduce your calories in a mindful way as your metabolism slows down. Since seniors tend to expend fewer calories, eating smaller meals can help prevent unhealthy weight gain.
To make this transition easier, you should try to maintain an active lifestyle. Not only will this allow you to eat a bit more without gaining weight, but it will also nurture your physical and mental health. Active seniors reduce their risk of developing a wide range of wellness issues.
Eating Right as a Senior: A Balanced Diet for Essential Nutrients
Lots of people are alarmed to hear that 92% of Americans are deficient in at least one vitamin. The reason why it’s crucial to get as many nutrients as you can in your diet as you get older is that your body wears down more. For example, being diligent about getting enough calcium in your diet can help you avoid breaking your bones if you fall down.
The good news is that you don’t need to spend a bunch of time mapping out your meals for the week to increase your nutrient intake. All you need to do is cook with nutritious ingredients. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats have everything you need to thrive as a senior.
It’s Important to Learn About Foods to Avoid and Reduce
Labeling foods as good or bad can take a lot of joy out of life. Instead, you should focus on the wellness benefits. Lots of people enjoy following the 80/20 lifestyle that involves getting 80% of their calories from nutritious foods, while 20% can be for fun.
A key component of eating well is reducing your consumption of processed sugars, refined carbs, and hydrogenated fats. These foods are empty calories that can trigger inflammation and sap energy.
This Senior Nutrition Can Help Everyone Stay Healthy as They Age
The principles of senior nutrition are easy to follow. As long as you stay close to the principles, you can start making healthier choices that help you feel incredible from the inside out.
Seniors deserve to have access to the greatest care possible. Learn more about PACE so you can improve the quality of your life.