Sooner or later we all will be old. That is inevitable. When we get old or diet should also have to be adjusted. Foods we used to eat when were young will not be suitable anymore, or still be suitable but have to be reduced. Nutrition is one of elderly problems as many elderly people find it hard to adjust their foods.
When someone gets old, the need for energy will change. Nutrition for elderly includes foods that contains a lot of vitamin B12. This vitamin which can be found in food supplement and fortified cereal can be absorbed easily in the body. Lack of elderly nutrition will cause a lot health problems.
Nutrition for ElderlyElderly is also advised to eat a lot of bananas, broccoli and potatoes. All these foods are rich in calcium. Elderly urinates a lot losing a lot of sodium and calcium due to taking a lot of hypertension medication.
As one gets older, the metabolism slows down so that calorie intake should be adjusted. Older people tend to have less movement, and this will cause calorie to build and therefore are prone to cardiac disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and a lot more seasoning in their diet is also important as older people tend to lose appetite. Add more seasoning that is sodium free, and their diet should not be overcooked either.
Water and CalciumDrink a lot of fresh water as older people tend to drink less. Dehydration is the main cause of death for older people. According to The Institute of Medicine, older women should drink 2.2 litres or about 9 glasses of water per day, while older men drink 3 litres or 13 glasses. Lower the consumption of coffee, tea, and alcohol.
Calcium is good for bones. Experts said that older people need more calcium as lactose falls in the body. 1,000 mg of calcium is needed per day and it should be raised to 1,200 mg for women above 50 years of age, and men over 70 years of age.
More intake in vitamin D and lute inTo absorb calcium, vitamin D is needed. To get vitamin D, one can be exposed to morning sunlight as well as from food rich in vitamin D like in low fat milk.Lutein can protect them from myopic eye disease, therefore more lutein is recommended for elderly people over 50 years of age. Vegetable such as spinach, broccoli, and grape, and orange contain lutein. So does yolk.
Last but not least, is that elderly people should consume a lot of food rich in fibre, avoid fatty food and limit bad carbohydrate.