If your parent is getting older, you’ve probably started to worry about them more. Are they safe at home? Are they remembering to take their medications? And are they eating right?
Why Nutrition Is So Important for Seniors
Nutrients are the substances that our bodies need to function, grow and stay healthy. The six essential nutrients are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water. We must get them from the foods we eat; our bodies can’t make them.
Eating well gives us the energy we need to function in our day-to-day lives and can help us to control our weight.
Good nutrition can also help to prevent some diseases, like:
- Osteoporosis
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Certain cancers
Good nutrition is important, no matter our age, but is especially important for seniors. As we get older, our bodies and lifestyles change, and so do our needs.
Some lifestyle changes that can make eating healthy harder for seniors include changes in:
- Home life – like suddenly living alone or having trouble getting around
- Health – which can make it harder for older adults to cook or feed themselves
- Medicines – some can change how food tastes, cause dry mouth, or reduce appetite
- Income – some seniors may not have as much money for food
- Sense of smell and taste – A change in the way foods smell or taste can make them unappealing to older adults
- Problems chewing or swallowing food – making it harder to eat
5 Ways Seniors in Vernon, Texas Can Eat Healthy
1. Plan Meals in Advance
When it comes to eating well, putting a little effort in now means less stress later. You might want to encourage your parent to plan out their meals, so they can be sure they’re getting the nutrients they need. That way, when they’re hungry, they don’t have to sit there and think about what they need to eat to meet their nutrient goals.
If your aging parent is having trouble making food on their own, perhaps you could come by their house once a week to help them prepare food for the week.
If your parent needs help with meals and you’re unable to help with grocery shopping, food prep, or cooking, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Your parent can sign up to have meals delivered from their local Meals on Wheels or to get assistance from the nearest senior center.
And If you don’t want to ever worry about your aging parent, why not let the experts at Eagle Flats Village handle their diet? We provide residents with nutritious, chef-inspired meals, served three times daily.
2. Eat More Produce
According to the CDC, only 12.3% of Americans consume the recommended daily intake of fruits and only 10% get the recommended daily intake of vegetables.
Elise Compston, RD, LD, a registered dietitian and co-owner of Compston Kitchen, says that research shows that eating more produce “is associated with a decreased risk of developing a number of chronic conditions, lowers the rate of mortality, and may strengthen our immune system against illness.”
Seniors wanting to eat more fresh produce in Vernon, Texas can find what they’re looking for at the Vernon Farmers Market. Local vendors include County Line Farm, Crownover Farms, Morath Orchard and Pease River Farm.
The market’s summer hours are every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm, at the corner of Pease and Main and every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm on the East Lawn of the Wilbarger General Hospital.
Related: 5 Ways Seniors in Vernon, TX and Wilbarger County Can Stay Active
3. Keep Medications in Mind
Certain medications can interfere with thirst or hunger signals, causing issues with getting enough nutrients. Make sure you know your parent’s medications, as well as its dosage, interactions and side effects.
And, if you’re looking for an easier way to manage your parent’s medications, we offer medication management at Eagle Flats Village.
4. Eat Low-Fat Dairy To Support Bone Health
As we get older, our bones become weaker. If seniors don’t get enough calcium, they’re at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become brittle and break easily. Pair this with the reduced balance in older adults that can cause falls, and it’s an injury waiting to happen.
Milk and other dairy products are the best way to meet daily calcium needs, but dairy also has a high level of saturated fat, which can increase cholesterol levels, as well as the risk of heart attack and stroke. To meet calcium needs, but also keep saturated fat levels low, it’s recommended that seniors choose low-fat dairy options.
5. Supplement Meals With Nutrition Shakes
If your parent has lost their appetite or is otherwise struggling to get the nutrients they need, encourage them to supplement their diet with nutrition shakes.
As we age, our bodies change and so does what we need to stay healthy. Some seniors may need fewer calories, but that doesn’t mean they need fewer nutrients! Nutrition shakes are an ideal way to bridge the gap between the two.
Vernon Nutrition in Vernon, Texas offers a full menu of healthy Herbalife meal replacement shakes and energizing teas. Meal replacement shakes provide nutrients through protein powder, aloe or other Herbalife products.
Nutritious, Chef-Inspired Meals Served Daily Means Less Stress for Your Aging Parent
At Eagle Flats Village, we do everything we can to provide our residents with a worry-free lifestyle where they can focus on strengthening relationships, improving health and mobility, becoming valued community members, and pursuing new interests in a risk-free environment.
Our residents don’t have to worry about how to eat healthy, because we provide three nutritious and delicious meals every day, plus snacks. Our apartments also include kitchenettes for those who would like to make their own meals in the comfort of home.
Ready to see our vibrant community for yourself?
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