No matter how old you are, or what stage of life you are in, making healthy food choices is a smart thing to do. As you age your body changes and thus your nutritional needs change too. Making sure that you get the nutrients you need daily can help you stay healthy and live longer. 

Many older adults lose interest in cooking foods they used to love as they get older due to disinterest, physical impairments, medication side effects, loneliness, and just changing taste buds. When seniors stop cooking this usually leads to them consuming much lower quality food, simply because it is easier for them. Seniors are very close to our heart and so is their health, so we compiled a list of tips to help you age with healthy nutrition:

Stay hydrated – When we age our bodies may not have the same thirst triggers as they used to. Research shows that as people age they need to drink more water than they used to in order to regulate their body temperature. Dehydration in seniors can cause other health problems such as heat exhaustion, muscle pain, and fatigue. Drinking water regularly throughout the day is very important, even when they don’t feel thirsty. It is also helpful to cut out or greatly limit the consumption of beverages like alcohol, coffee, and sodas, which can only worsen dehydration. 

When possible, make eating a social event – Meals are more enjoyable when eaten with others. Inviting a friend or family member to join for a meal or make it a potluck meal where you provide one dish and others bring a complimentary dish. Local places of worship or senior centers may offer meals that are shared with others. There are many ways to make mealtimes pleasing, you just have to be more social.

Plan your meals – There is a lot of information available to help seniors choose the right healthy meal plan. To help sort through any false information on the internet, always do thorough research and talk to a doctor before making any diet changes. Check out some of these sites that we have discovered to help: ChooseMyPlate.gov; National Institute on Aging. There are also some great food delivery services that are a great option to get fresh meals delivered straight to your front door.

Know how much to eat – As we age we may not need the portion size we once did, but we need to maintain good eating habits and nutritional value in order to stay healthy. Learning how much to eat and control your portion size to make sure seniors are getting enough nutrients throughout their day is key to staying healthy as they age.

Keep a variety of vegetables – Vegetables are available in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Make sure to include different vegetables and colors in mind when shopping for vegetables. Most vegetables are low-calorie and a good source of nutrients. They are also a great source of fiber.

Eat for your teeth and gums – As we age and change, our teeth and gums change as well.  Dental problems can make it difficult to chew certain fruits and vegetables, or certain meals altogether. It is important the seniors don’t miss out on the needed nutrients that fruits and vegetables provide. If they are struggling with certain nutrient-dense foods they should try these foods cooked or canned with no added sugar or salt added like unsweetened fruit, low-sodium soups, or canned tuna in water.

Use herbs and spices – For some seniors, food may have lost its flavor or doesn’t really satisfy their taste buds like it used to. As they age their sense of taste and smell changes. It may not be the cook, just a change in senses. Medications may play a role in how their favorite foods taste. Adding that much-needed flavor to their meals by adding trying different herbs or spices can be just what is needed to make them look forward to meals again. 

Keep your food safe – As seniors age, it is especially important to keep food safe and not to take any chances with their health. Food-related illnesses can be life-threatening for an older person. Make sure to purge the pantry and refrigerator often and throughout food that might be unsafe or is out of date. Avoid foods that have a short shelf life.

Read the label – Make the right choices when buying food. Make sure to read the label for nutritional facts and ask a doctor if there are certain ingredients that your senior should avoid and others they may need to increase when making food choices.

Vitamins and supplements – Natural and fresh food is always the best choice to get important nutrients but supplements and vitamins are a good way to increase the nutrients seniors may be deficient in. Make sure to check with a doctor before taking any supplements to make sure they do not interfere with the medications they may be taking.

No matter a senior’s age or what their previous eating habits were, it is never too late to make changes for the better. Changing eating habits can help seniors live longer, feel better, and sharpen their brains. Eating well as we age is not only about the quality of the food we eat, but also the quality of the experience of eating. It is so important to keep meals an enjoyable experience as we age by preparing food with others and as we mentioned previously (because we think it’s important enough to mention twice), eating with others. With small steps in the right direction, your senior will be changing their eating habits for the better and be enjoying delicious and nutritious meals before you know it. 

If you are a senior, or you know a senior who is in need of a companion to help them prepare meals, eat meals, grocery shop, or simply be there to make sure they are eating enough, Dwell at Home is here to help. Download our app today by clicking here and let our team find the perfect Caregiving match for your senior.