As you age, your nutritional needs change. Your metabolism slows down, and you may experience changes in appetite and taste. That’s why staying on top of all nutrition issues is important, especially if you’re living in an assisted living care in University Park, TX. Here are some tips for how to make sure your diet stays healthy as you grow older:
You Need Fewer Calories
As you age, your metabolism slows, and your body requires fewer calories to maintain normal functioning. Research suggests that the average person needs to eat between 20% and 30% less than they did when they were younger. However, some studies have shown that this number may be even higher for older people who are overweight or obese.
Healthy seniors should have a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables; whole grains like brown rice or quinoa; lean protein sources like chicken breast or tofu; low-fat dairy products such as yogurt or cottage cheese; healthy fats like olive oil (not butter); and legumes such as kidney beans or lentils for added fiber. If you’re struggling with weight loss, talk with your doctor about how much food is right for you based on your medical history and current medications.
To help prevent weight loss (and an increase in the risk of malnutrition), many assisted living communities offer nutritional counseling services-they may provide recommendations on how much food you should be eating each day based on your height and weight or recommend healthy foods that have been specially prepared by chefs at the community’s dining facility.
It’s Harder For Your Body To Absorb Nutrients
As you age, it’s normal for the body’s ability to process and use food as fuel to change. This means that older adults may need more calories than when they were younger to maintain a healthy weight and stay active. The same is true of vitamins and minerals-they are essential for keeping you healthy but can be challenging for the body to absorb once they’ve been broken down in digestion or processed by the liver or kidneys. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible: there are ways of getting around these challenges so that older adults can get all the nutrition they need without having difficulty swallowing pills or suffering from extreme hunger pangs each day!
You May Be Losing Weight Unintentionally
If you’re not eating enough, it’s important to get help. Your body needs nutrients to function properly and stay healthy. If it doesn’t get enough food, it can weaken and cause other problems like memory loss or dizziness.
To help prevent this, your assisted living community should have a dietitian on staff to assist residents with their nutrition needs and provide them with nutritious meals that meet their dietary restrictions or preferences.
Your Taste Buds Don’t Work As Well
As you age, your taste buds don’t work as well. You may be unable to taste or enjoy food like you used to. That’s why Assisted Living Care communities are committed to keeping residents’ diets interesting and varied: they provide them with a wide variety of meals prepared by professional chefs who know how to make sure their dishes are the perfect combination of flavor, texture, and appearance.
Conclusion
The more you know about how nutritional needs change as we age, the better equipped you will be to ensure your loved one is always getting the right food and vitamins. If you or your loved one is dealing with the issues above, call Caruth Haven Court today to learn more about our services and how we can help!
