While it’s often recommended that we eat five-to-seven servings of fruits and vegetables each day, the CDC suggests that it could be as much as 13 for seniors and elders, depending on age, gender, and physical activity.
Senior Nutrition: Foods that Can Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Important senior nutrition information and foods that promote heart health in Canada’s seniors. The American Heart Association estimates that 66% of cardiovascular disease deaths occur in people age 75 and older, so senior heart health should be a focus for senior caregivers!
Canada’s Seniors and Malnutrition
Seniors are particularly susceptible to malnutrition, because not only do they have different nutritional needs than younger adults, they also take more medications, and have higher rates of chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. According to Stats Canada, 34% of seniors living at home are at risk for malnutrition. This article outlines signs that indicate senior malnutrition and ways you can prevent malnutrition in your senior and elder loved ones.
Seniors: Dietary Changes as We Age
Every year over the age of 40, our metabolism slows. Though our nutritional requirements stay almost the same as younger adults, our energy needs decrease. To keep our bodies feeling good and functioning well, we need to be aware of how our diet needs are evolving as we age. Every stage of life brings changes to our bodies, and taking an active role in diet and nutrition can mean more energy and better disease prevention in the future.
Dietary Changes in Seniors: A Colorful Plate is Key
One key to finding high-nutrient foods for seniors and elders is easy: color. A colorful plate with a variety of vegetables and fruits each day will boost your intake of important nutrients. Look for a mix of fruits and vegetables and fill your plate with these valuable foods.
Seniors Need to Choose Their Foods Carefully for Healthy Living
The importance of good nutrition spans the generations, but as we age, our dietary requirements change. Seniors need to concentrate on eating foods with a high nutrient density—that is, whole, natural, fresh foods that are packed with essential nutrients and fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, healthy sources of protein and low-fat dairy products.
Food For Senior Life: Preparation and Storage
Food safety for seniors: each year about about 13 million Canadians become ill from eating foods contaminated by bacteria, viruses or parasites, Health Canada reports. However, safe food handling, preparation and storage practices can greatly decrease the risks of food-borne illness. These practices are particularly important for seniors.
Food As Medicine for Seniors: Good Nutrition Promotes Senior Health
A healthy diet delivers essential nutrients for optimal health and plays an essential role in improving the quality of life and independence of senior citizens. According to the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, good nutrition may help seniors slow the onset of many diseases, manage the symptoms of chronic illness, lessen the impact of disease on lifestyle and boost longevity.
Hunger and the Senior: 5 Million Seniors at Risk of Malnutrition
Hunger and malnutrition is a greater problem for Canada’s seniors than many may realize—and it is due to a wide variety of causes, not just financial constraints. According to a report by FoodBanks Canada seniors accounted for 5.5% of food bank clients in a typical month.
Why An Efficient, Nutrient-Rich Diet Is Essential To Senior Health
A nutritious diet is especially important for seniors’ health. That is because a variety of factors puts older adults at greater risk of malnutrition, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. These factors include chronic disease, physical disability, isolation,limited income and medications that limit nutrient absorption.