Research shows that Alzheimer’s disease is derived from a combination of brain changes as people age, along with other lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors. As people grow older, their food choices have also been linked to their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, it is not only about the type of food consumed by an individual, but the combination of different food products that may affect the function of the brain. If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, you may be wondering about what food to feed your loved ones to ensure they stay healthy. At senior living communities like The Trace, we ensure that the food we provide is delicious and nutritious for all our residents, including those in memory care. Read on to find out more about dietary plans that you can follow when caring for your loved one.
DASH Diet
DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet was developed especially in the past to help older adults control blood pressure. Under this diet, older adults are required to opt for foods that are healthier, while avoiding foods that are high in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fats. This is to ensure they maintain a healthy blood circulation. The food that older adults are encouraged to eat under this diet are foods that are rich in minerals, vitamins, fiber, and protein. This includes:
- Nuts and whole grains
- Fish and poultry
- Frozen or fresh fruits and vegetables
- Using spices and herbs for flavoring
- Opting for lean meat
- Using less or no salt in dishes
- Low-fat dairy
Mediterranean Diet
One of the most well-known diets in the Alzheimer’s community is the Mediterranean diet which has become popular after studies have declared this diet as one of the best to keep the aging mind and body healthy. The diet encourages consuming food that helps prevent obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and dementia. This diet includes:
- Limiting consumption of poultry, seafood, and dairy
- Focus on the consumption of plant-based meals which include whole grains, herbs, legumes, spices, fruits, and vegetables
- Eating lean meat for protein
- Deriving healthy fat from seeds, nuts, and fatty fish
- Replacing canola oil and butter with olive oil
Under this diet, people are encouraged not to eat red meat, carbonated drinks, pastries, as well as other comfort foods.
MIND Diet
The MIND diet stands for the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet and is a combination of both diets listed above. This is an eating strategy helping delay cognitive decline in the elderly, and encourages older adults to consume food that belong to certain groups of food known to delay dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This includes:
- Nuts
- Olive oil
- Fatty fish
- Lentils and beans
- Frozen and fresh berries
- At least 6 servings of leafy green vegetables weekly
- At least 1 serving of vegetables that are non-starchy
- A glass of red wine daily
When it comes to keeping aging bodies and minds healthy, it is important to alter certain lifestyle habits and transform your diet. If you are on the lookout for a senior living community that is able to provide healthy and delicious foods for your loved ones with Alzheimer’s to keep their minds and bodies nourished, feel free to contact The Trace to find out more today.
