You’re most likely already aware that aging leads to changes in your entire body. These changes in your body also demand that you make changes to your food intake, but that’s easier said than done. How can you make sure you’re eating appropriately for the mature stages of your life? Here are some essential tips for eating well as you age.
Understand Your Energy Requirements
As people age, they have lower energy requirements, meaning that once you reach your senior years, you don’t need as many calories to sustain your daily lifestyle. This means that while you still need to make sure you’re eating enough, you also need to make sure you’re not overeating either.
Hence, try to avoid the dangers of obesity in your later years by cutting down on portion sizes and high-sugar snacks, especially if you have a low-activity lifestyle.
Eat Diverse Foods
No single food can fulfill your body’s every need. To maintain or improve your health, you’ll need to eat a variety of foods. Only then can you ensure that you have a well-balanced, healthy diet. There are various rules of thumb for every type of food, so not only do we have to include certain foods in our diet, we have to understand the portions involved as well. With our tips for each food category, it’s not as complicated as it seems.
Fruits and Vegetables
Try to have at least five portions of fruits and vegetables in a day to lower your risk of some forms of cancer (such as lung, stomach) and heart disease. Fruits and vegetables are a diverse group, thus, there are many diverse ways to incorporate them into your diet. Some examples would be soups, salads, or juices. Just make sure to not have dried fruits or juices outside of mealtimes, since they can be loaded with sugar.
Starchy Carbohydrates
Foods rich in starch and fiber boast great nutritional value. This is because they are rich in energy, vitamins, and minerals. The fiber helps to prevent the common issue of constipation, hence reducing the risk of certain intestine disorders. Furthermore, they’re easy to work into your diet as a lot of them are considered staple foods:
- Bread
- Pasta
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Cereals
However, do remember to increase your fiber intake slowly rather than suddenly, to prevent problems such as bowel discomfort.
Dairy Products
Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese provide various nutritional benefits. One that can be especially important when you’re aging is the calcium that dairy products tend to provide. Calcium aids in strengthening your bones, which tend to weaken due to aging. By adding dairy products to your diet, you’re helping yourself combat conditions like osteoporosis, while also helping yourself to some great meals!
A Senior Living Community Makes Eating Right Easier
Is the gourmet in you having trouble with finding food that is good for both you and your palate? Look no further than TerraBella Summerville! Do take a closer look at our Sensations Dining program, where chef-prepared meals inspired from all over the world are just a couple of steps away.
