Observe National Nutrition Month with Proper Portions for Elderly Care

Uncategorized  |  March 5, 2018

Celebrate National Nutrition Month by ensuring that your senior loved one is eating the correct portion of food. Seniors often eat larger portion sizes than they need, and senior adults who are not educated on portion control can often underestimate how much they are eating. Too large of portions can cause unhealthy weight gain. Here are some elderly care tips for older adults and seniors who would like to ensure they’re eating proper portions:

Avoid Skipping Meals or Going Too Long Without Eating

Seniors and older adults who skip regularly scheduled meals are more likely to become hungry and eat nonnutritious foods and portions that are too large. Sticking to a regular meal schedule consisting of nutrition-filled meals, as well as having 2-3 healthy snacks throughout the day, is ideal for seniors. Whenever possible, older adults should refrain from going more than five hours without eating.

Share Meals or Ask for A Doggy Bag

Restaurants and cafes are known for their oversized portions. Seniors who dine out often should offer to share meals with family and friends or ask for half of their meals to be packed up. Portion control can condition a senior’s body to become fuller after eating smaller quantities of food so they can attain their weight loss goals and maintain a healthy weight.

Nutritious Foods First

Seniors should ensure that most of their plates consists of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, lean proteins, and other fiber filled foods. This means there will be less of a chance of overindulging on sweets, unhealthy fats, and snack foods that have little to no nutrition value.

Utilize Cups and Scales to Measure Correct Portions

Measuring cups and scales meant for kitchen use can help seniors stick to the correct portion size with their meals. After regular use of measuring cups and correct portion control, seniors will be able to estimate proper portions later on.

Drink Water

Staying hydrated and drinking enough water can help seniors to feel full and can help cut back on calories without experiencing the feelings of hunger. Seniors and adults alike should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day.

Use Smaller Plates and Dishes

Those who have been taught to “clean their plates” at meals to avoid food waste are likely to overeat if they are using large plates and dishes. Smaller plates can help give the appearance of a larger portion size and prevents adding too many calories to the plate.

Share This Post: