Nutrition for Seniors: What Caregivers Should Know

Healthy eating is one of the cornerstones of a happy, productive life. The foods we eat affect our health, energy levels, moods, and the overall quality of our lives. The same is true during all phases of our lives. As we age, however, our risk of developing health conditions increases, our appetites diminish, and certain parts of our brains shrink, all of which can interfere with nutrition intake. If you’re caring for a senior and worry if their nutrition needs are being met, there are things you can do to help ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need. Read on to learn more about nutrition for seniors. 

Nutrition for seniors: what caregivers should know

Whether you’re caring for an aging parent, looking out for an elderly neighbor, or professionally managing the daily care of a client, it’s important to talk with their doctor about the foods they should be eating. But you’ll also want to remember that assisting with nutrition isn’t just about having the right foods on hand. It’s also about helping to ensure that those foods are eaten and enjoyed. Here are a few basic tips for caregivers: 

Know your nutrients - Many seniors have dietary requirements given to them by their doctor, and it’s crucial that you help them follow these. It’s also important to know the nutrition basics so you know what to look for at the grocery store and in the refrigerator.

In general, healthy eating includes:

• A wide variety of fruits and vegetables (eat the rainbow)

• Whole grains

• Fat-free or low-fat dairy products

• Non-dairy products fortified with vitamin D and calcium

• Lean meats

• Seafood

• Eggs

• Legumes, nuts, seeds

This list may sound basic, and maybe even a little boring, but there are an abundance of delicious meals and snacks that can be created from these ingredients. Gather a list of specific foods from each category and ask your senior which ones appeal to them. That will give you a place to start grocery shopping and recipe making.

 Grocery shop together

When grocery shopping is a collaborative effort, it enables the caretaker to help guide the individual toward healthy choices that satisfy their preferences and dietary requirements. It also allows the senior to be an active participant in their own health and wellbeing. 

Eat together

Sharing a meal is an opportunity to experience the social and pleasurable aspects of eating. If the senior requires assistance with feeding themselves, making it difficult for you to eat at the same time, try engaging with your other senses, pointing out the enticing aroma or the visual appeal of the food, or sharing associated memories. As you engage with the food in your own way, it can help stimulate the senior’s enjoyment of the experience as well.  

Small frequent meals

Most seniors don’t eat enough in a single sitting to get all their nutrients into three meals. Instead, try smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Just be sure to plan ahead so they’re getting proper nutrition, not just snacks. 

Optimize the appetite (exercise)

It’s common for the appetite to diminish with age. But you can help optimize it by keeping the senior active and participating in daily exercise. Building up the appetite provides more opportunities to nourish the individual with healthy foods. 

Pay attention to fluid intake

Nothing kills the appetite quite as much as a clogged digestive system.  Caregivers can help keep things moving by frequently offering small quantities of fluid often throughout the day, and serving foods with high water-content (such as watermelon or broth). 

Minimize distractions

The fewer distractions there are during the dining experience, the more likely the individual is to focus on feeding themselves and enjoying their food. This means turning off the television, reducing clutter on the table, and limiting the decor and table settings to just what’s needed for this meal. 

The more you know about health and nutrition, the better equipped you’ll be to ensure that the senior you’re caring for is getting the nutrients they need to maintain a healthy diet.

Nutritious meals and rehabilitative care in San Diego | Bella Vista 

At Bella Vista Health Center, our goal is to empower patients and rehabilitate them back to their personal best. Our team includes not only physical and occupational therapists, nurse practitioners, and other medical practitioners, but also a registered dietician who provides residents with nutritious meals, making special accommodations for allergies and medical conditions, as well as dietary preferences and religious needs. For more information about our 5-star skilled nursing facility in Lemon Grove, give us a call at (619) 644-1000 or drop by for a tour today. 

7 Steps to Cut Processed Foods from Your Diet

7 Steps to Cut Processed Foods from Your Diet

We all lead busy lives, and sometimes that means having to make choices that are more for  short-term convenience than for long-term well-being. The biggest example of this has to do with the consumption and convenience of processed foods.

What you eat has a direct effect on your health. That being said, why wouldn’t you choose to consume the foods with the most nutrients and beneficial health factors? Well, most of the time it’s more convenient to go with the already-made (and most of the time delicious) processed foods instead of taking the time to prepare a full meal with whole foods. 

Most people are so used to consuming a diet that is largely made up of processed foods and quitting cold turkey usually results in the individual turning back to an unhealthy diet. Fortunately, there are small steps that could lead you in the right direction to eventually cutting processed foods from your diet once and for all.

Switch to Healthy Oils

Instead of using refined oils such as vegetable oil, canola oil and margarine, try using healthier oils like olive oil, coconut oil or hemp. Replacing refined oils with healthy oils will give your body more energy while boosting your immune system and providing your bones with the nutrients it needs.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

Make it a habit to incorporate at least one fruit and at least one vegetable into every breakfast, lunch and dinner meal. Not only will you be consuming a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, but eating more fruits and vegetables will ensure that you are filling up on the right kinds of food.

Cut Out Sugary Processed Beverages

Some people don’t realize that drinking those processed, sugary drinks such as sodas and juices are a major part of what makes up an unhealthy diet. When you’re thirsty, water is always going to be the number one choice. However, if you’re one of those people who gets bored of plain, unflavored water, try reaching for a soothing cup of tea or a juice that you’re sure is 100% real. 

Stop Consuming Fast Food and Deep-Fried Foods

This can be really tough for some people who are constantly on the go and only have time for a quick and easy meal. Fast food is packed full of unhealthy processed ingredients and cooked in those unhealthy oils we warned you about above. If you have time to wait in a drive-thru line, then you have time to quickly run into a grocery store for a healthier alternative. 

Switch to 100% Whole Grains

This means that that all grains you are consuming should be switched 100% to whole grains. White flour is harder for the body to digest, causing the gluten to build-up and prevent the absorption of nutrients. With whole grains, you’re getting a great source of fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Stop Using Artificial Sweeteners

Stop using all artificial sweeteners including, white sugar, raw sugar, brown sugar, splenda, agave, corn syrup, etc. If you really need to add some sweetness to your meal/beverage, try using a small amount of honey instead. 

Eat Local Foods

Eating locally grown food ensures that you are getting some of the freshest and best meats, eggs, nuts, grains, fruits and vegetables. Check out your local farmer’s market and slowly begin incorporating these local foods into the meals you prepare. 

We Care About Your Health

Here at Bella Vista Health Center, our goal is to make sure you’re getting everything you need to live a healthy life. This includes providing our guests with balanced and nutritious meals. Every meal is prepared with each individual’s health and dietary needs in mind.

Need a short-term nursing facility to help you recover back to your personal best? Give us a call to schedule a tour of our 5-star rated facility at (619) 644-1000.