Unfortunately, many people aged 65 and over do not get enough nutrients as their diet is often inadequate. While their diet should essentially be the same as for younger adults, there are some minor changes that are recommended for the aged. Maintaining a healthy diet is important for everyday activities and overall wellbeing.
Keywords: nutrition, elderly
As we get older, we begin to slow down. However, that doesn’t mean we should stop actively thinking about what we eat, and the essential nutrients we need every day. Unfortunately, many people aged 65 and over do not get the nutrition that they need. Malnutrition, or being undernourished, is common in older people. As well as an inadequate diet, other factors come into play with age such as problems with digestion, being less able to absorb nutrients, and some medical conditions and medications can contribute towards malnutrition. For older people, there are some important facts that need to be taken into consideration when aiming to improve nutrition and general health.
Many people eat less as they get older, which can make it difficult to ensure that their diet is varied enough to include all the necessary nutrients we need every day. The nutrient requirements in older age are essentially the same as they are for younger adults. However, it may be necessary to eat nutrient dense food instead of food that is high in energy, as the energy requirement is lower in the elderly. Compared to the regular adult diet, people aged 65 and over should try to lower their intake of cereals, carbohydrates, sugars, and ‘indulgent’ or extra foods. Calcium consumption becomes particularly important, as our ability to absorb calcium from our diet becomes less efficient. This is important, especially in women, as calcium intake may reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. Many other nutrients are also important as we get older, such as vitamin D and folate. Taking nutrient supplements in addition to eating a balanced diet may be important in maintaining a healthy nutritional state. Maintaining physical activity for older people is also recommended for overall health and prevention of osteoporosis.
General Dietary Guidelines for People 65 and Over
- Enjoy a wide variety of foods
- Keep active and maintain muscle strength and body weight
- Eat at least three meals per day
- Prepare and store food correctly
- Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and legumes
- Keep eating cereals, breads and pastas
- Eat low amounts of saturated fats
- Drink adequate amounts of water
- If you drink alcohol, limit your intake
- Choose foods low in salt and use salt sparingly
- Include foods high in calcium
- Consume sugars in moderation
