The Nursing Home Diet

The Nursing Home Diet

One thing that you should consider when looking for an elder care home is the food that they serve. Not only should it be nutritional, it should also be edible. Not eating can pose serious health risks for the elderly.

As you age, your body needs different nutritional requirements. This can make it more of a challenge to eat healthy. The hormone changes that you go through as you age can also cause your body to lose muscle and bone structure and more fat to be accumulated. The more you can keep these factors under control, the easier it is for you to stay healthy.

When you get older, you should be limited to how much fat you take in. Your nursing home should provide learner cuts of meat, low fat dairy, and a limit on fired food. Do not cut fats completely from your diet, just eat few of them and make smarter choices. Protein is also an essential part of your diet, since your body can lose muscles as you age. High quality proteins like eggs, poultry, and fish are good choices.

Carbohydrates are needed by people of all ages for energy. However, for the elderly, these should come from sources that are high in fiber as well. This can prevent constipation and keep your digestive system running properly.

Water is often an overlooked part of the elderly diet. Your body made up of mostly water, and as you age it is harder for you to retain water like you did before. This can lead to dehydration if you are not drinking enough. Strive to drink a minimum of one ounce of water for every 2.2 lbs of body weight.

Vitamins and minerals are also crucial as we age. Iron deficiency is a common problem for the elderly, and is further compounded by a lack of intake of iron rich foods. Eating lean red meats and fortified cereals can help prevent this.

The elderly can also benefit from calcium, which can help keep bones and teeth strong. If you cannot drink milk, consider cheeses, yogurts, broccoli, and other calcium rich foods.

Zinc is often found to be deficient in the elderly as well, and may not be absorbed as well as you age. Making sure that you get enough meat, poultry, and fish can help to fight this problem.

Vitamin B12 is another nutrient that is needed. Many older persons suffer from atrophic gastritis, where the stomach becomes inflamed and has an overgrown with bacteria. This can cause a reduction in the amount of Vitamin B12 that is absorbed, as well as other digestive issues.

Your nursing home should strive to make sure that you get all of these nutrients in your daily meals in a way that is appealing. Consider taking a tour of the kitchen when you are choosing your nursing home. Even if you are not in a nursing home, you can help to improve your health by eating a well balanced diet. This will cause you to feel better and enjoy better health longer.