NCM 105: NUTRITION AND DIET THERAPHY TRANSACRIBED BY: KB
NUTRITION FOR ELDERLY • Drink enough liquids, so you don't get dehydrated. Some
people lose their sense of thirst as they age. And certain
WHAT IS NUTRITION AND WHY IS IT medicines might make it even more important to have
IMPORTANT FOR OLDER ADULTS? plenty of fluids.
• Be physically active. If you have started losing your
• Nutrition is about eating a healthy and balanced diet
appetite, exercising may help you to feel hungrier.
so body gets the nutrients that it needs.
• Nutrients are substances in foods that our bodies
need so they can function and grow. WHAT CAN ELDERLIES DO IF THEY ARE HAVING
• They include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, TROUBLE EATING HEALTHY?
mineral, and water.
• Good nutrition is important, no matter what your Sometimes health issues or other problems can make it
age. It gives energy and can help control weight. hard to eat healthy. Here are some tips that might help:
• It may also help prevent some diseases, such as
osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, • If tired of eating alone, try organizing some potluck meals
type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. or cooking with a friend. Also look into having some meals
• But as the elderly’s body increases in age, the body at a nearby senior center, community center, or religious
and life change, and so does elderlies need to stay facility.
healthy. • Drink enough liquids, so you don't get dehydrated. Some
• For example, elderlies need fewer calories, but still people lose their sense of thirst as they age. And certain
need to get enough nutrients. Some older adults medicines might make it even more important to have
need more protein. plenty of fluids.
• Be physically active. If you have started losing your
WHAT CAN MAKE IT HARDER FOR ELDERLY TO EAT appetite, exercising may help you to feel hungrier.
HEALTHY AS THEY AGE? • If having trouble chewing, a dentist can help to check for
problems.
• Some changes that can happen that make it harder for
elderly to eat healthy. These include changes in:
• If having trouble swallowing, try drinking plenty of liquids
- Home life, such as suddenly living alone or having
with meal. If that does not help, check with your
trouble getting around
healthcare provider. A health condition or medicine could
- Health, which can make it harder for elderly to cook
be causing the problem.
or feed him/herself
• If having trouble smelling and tasting food, try adding
color and texture to make the food more interesting.
How can elderlies eat healthy as they age?
• Eat foods that give lots of nutrients without a lot of extra
• If elderlies aren’t eating enough, add some healthy snacks
calories, such as:
throughout the day to help them get more nutrients and
- Fruits and vegetables (choose different types with
calories.
bright colors)
• If an illness is making it harder for the elderlies to cook or
- Whole grains, like oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, and
feed themselves, check with the healthcare provider. He
brown rice
or she may recommend an occupational therapist, who
- Fat-free or low-fat milk and cheese, or soy or rice milk
can help the elderly find ways to make it easier.
that has added vitamin D and calcium
- Seafood, lean meats, poultry, and eggs -
Beans, nuts, and seeds
• Avoid empty calories. These are foods with lots of
calories but few nutrients, such as chips, candy, baked
goods, soda, and alcohol.
• Pick foods that are low in cholesterol and fat. try to avoid
saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats are usually fats
that come from animals. Trans fats are processed fats in
stick margarine and vegetable shortening. You may find
them in some store-bought baked goods and fried
foods at some fast-food restaurants.
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