Proper Nutrition for Seniors
As we age, the body goes through significant changes. Proper nutrition is important at every stage of life, but is particularly important after age 50 if we want to stay as healthy, mobile and independent as possible.
Many seniors skimp on nutrition for a number of reasons. They might be ‘empty-nesters’ or widowers who don’t pay much attention to regular meals now that they are on their own. They might also think they can’t afford to eat well on a limited budget.
Pain and fatigue from arthritis or other chronic conditions might limit their mobility and make shopping for and preparing food difficult. They might also resort to so much comfort food, what is termed the tea and toast lifestyle, that they aren’t hungry for proper food.
Food as fuel
But no matter what your age, food is fuel. Putting high-quality fuel into your engine will get high performance out. There are several key areas of senior health to pay attention to.
Heart health
Heart attacks are the #1 killer of both men and women in the US. Commonly considered a man’s disease, a woman’s risk of a heart attack increases as she ages and she is 75% more likely to die of a heart attack within the first year than a man. A heart healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetable with power foods like leafy greens, salmon and other lean proteins, and olive oil, can all help protect the heart.
Brain health
People are living longer than ever before, but that longevity might not be much of a gift if the person is suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
Studies have shown that Alzheimer’s should be considered a terminal illness, since few people survive more than 5 years after being diagnosed. That being the case, eating for brain health is the smartest thing you can do to ward off cognitive decline. Aim for leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale, and cruciferous veggies such as cauliflower and broccoli. These 4 are amongst the top power foods you can eat for your health.
If you’ve ever heard that fish is brain food, it’s true. The omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish like salmon and mackerel helps heart health, improves mental focus, and maintains the health of nerve cells.
Foods rich in magnesium and zinc also speed up memory because they stimulate the impulses between the synapses of the brain.
Eating for heart health and brain health are easy once you know how.
Try a Mediterranean diet to cover both and see what a difference it can make to your health.