According to BMC Medicine, an estimated 25% of seniors experience malnourishment. There are a host of reasons why this happens, and each contributes to a senior’s ability to eat healthy, nutritious meals.
Fortunately, older adults can benefit from an assisted living dietary program. This helps to keep all residents well fed and well cared for with custom elderly meal programs available all day long.
This helpful article explains the ins and outs of nutrition in senior living and why older adults have special dietary needs.
Why Do the Dietary Needs of Seniors Change?
As people age, their taste buds change. This affects how an elderly person experiences food.
This is why senior nutrition plans are so important. They help with preventing a host of conditions caused by malnutrition, including but not limited to:
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Weakness Fatigue
- In severe cases, death
Malnutrition is a serious condition for older adults, making healthy senior diet plans a necessity.
Special Dietary Considerations
Some seniors may struggle to chew or swallow their food. If this is the case, they will require special dietary considerations, such as pureed food, to make the process of eating that much easier. This also ensures they’re receiving the appropriate amount of:
- Calories
- Vitamins
- Nutrients
It’s important to remember that, despite food in pureed form, it needs to be appealing to older adults. This means they’ll need to rely on their olfactory senses to enjoy food, so try and make it as aromatic as possible.
Pureed food should also look appetizing, so use foods that have vibrant colors to help make it as appealing as possible.
Ensure Seniors Stay Hydrated
Seniors may not drink enough as they age, especially if they don’t feel thirsty. This is why they need to focus on hydrating throughout the day, especially if they’re part of a group fitness class and exercise.
Older adults can hydrate by drinking or can also eat foods that have a lot of water in them. This includes:
- Cucumbers
- Melons
- Pineapple
- Oranges
- Broccoli
These are only some of the foods that have a high water content. By eating a balanced diet and incorporating foods with plenty of water, seniors can stay hydrated all day long.
Healthy Foods to Incorporate Daily
Throughout the day, seniors need to incorporate plenty of healthy foods, ensuring each meal is well-balanced.
For starters, older adults need plenty of vegetables. It’s important to aim for vegetables in bright colors, such as dark green, orange, red, and more. Switch things up and eat a variety of vegetables, incorporating them into different dishes.
Next, add plenty of whole fruits. This includes:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Oranges
Plus many more.
Although some people prefer to drink smoothies or enjoy a glass of juice, these are often sources of empty calories and don’t provide the same natural benefits as eating whole fruits and vegetables.
Plenty of whole grains should be consumed, including:
- Oats
- Brown rice
- Other grain products that use whole wheat flour
Seniors also need plenty of lean protein, including meat, poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds, legumes, soy-based products, and seafood.
Dairy is also very important, and seniors should eat or drink low-fat or fat-free dairy products. It’s important to consume products that are fortified with calcium and Vitamin D to prevent a deficiency. Seniors can also eat, mackerel, salmon, and sardines for Vitamin D.
Focus on Essential Vitamins and Minerals
In addition to Vitamin D, seniors also need other essential vitamins and minerals. This includes:
- Calcium: Available in cheese, milk, and yogurt
- Zinc: Available in fortified breakfast cereals, crab, oysters, and beef
- Vitamin B6: Available in fortified breakfast cereals, fatty fish, chickpeas, and liver
- Vitamin B12: Available in fortified foods, such as cereals
- Potassium: Available in milk, yogurt, bananas, dried apricots, and spinach
- Folate: Available in nuts, leafy greens, and beans
- Selenium: Available in Brazil nuts, but only eat one to two daily, as too much selenium can have adverse effects
- Magnesium: Available in leafy greens, nuts, and seeds
- Probiotics: Available in fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and yogurt
- Omega-3s: Available in canola oil, flaxseed, walnuts, and fatty fish
Although these are supplements available, they can interfere with a person’s medication, which means supplements should never be taken without a physician’s approval. The same goes for any type of dietary plan, as a physician might find contraindications, which means certain foods should be avoided.
According to the FDA, when dietary supplements and medications are mixed in any capacity, the result can seriously endanger a person’s health.
This means that healthy senior dietary plans are of the utmost importance, helping older adults achieve their daily vitamin and mineral goals without the need for supplements. Seniors can eat balanced meals to get the nutrients they need.
Custom Meal Plans
Not all seniors have the same dietary requirements. For some, they may have food allergies to consider. Others might need special meal plans to help manage diabetes or high blood pressure.
No matter what a person’s specific dietary needs are, senior nutrition plans have all their meals taken care of. This includes nutritious breakfasts, healthy lunch recipes, and delicious dinners shared with other residents, socializing while eating well.
Custom meal programs also factor in anything that might make it difficult for older adults to eat. Included in this are dental issues, tooth loss, and a lack of appetite.
By understanding the unique needs of all its residents, senior living health programs work to keep everyone feeling their best while enjoying meals all day long.
Benefit From an Assisted Living Dietary Program Today
An assisted living dietary program has tons of benefits for residents, helping them to get plenty of essential vitamins and minerals every day and working to prevent malnutrition. Seniors in assisted living have access to these custom meal plans, taking into consideration their specific dietary needs while creating delicious meals for everyone to enjoy.
The Trace By Discovery Senior Living has everything you could ask for in an assisted living or memory care community. From physical activities and dietary programs to entertaining social programs for all residents to partake in, there’s something for everyone in our Covington, LA community. Contact us today to learn more!
