According to Health in Aging, roughly 10% of older individuals living alone do not eat enough. A third of all seniors eat too much. It’s difficult to find a balance, especially when a person struggles to cook healthy meals or forgets to eat when they’re supposed to.
Many senior living communities offer a variety of dining options for seniors. These healthy senior meals are always available, whether it’s cooked in their home or served in a dining hall setting.
Here’s what you should know about the importance of nutritious dining in senior living and why it matters.
The Importance of a Well-Balanced Diet for Seniors
A well-balanced diet is an essential part of maintaining a healthy body and mind for any human being.
However, a younger individual could afford to occasionally eat unhealthy foods without too much risk to their health. Senior citizens do not have that privilege, as their bodies are generally less efficient due to their older age.
As such, what kinds of foods they put into their body matters much more. A good diet combined with regular exercise can help a senior body function better than their peers and even push back some of the inevitable health problems associated with old age.
Reduced Metabolism
First of all, metabolic rates tend to slow down as a person ages. You may notice this if you’ve had difficulty maintaining your weight or shedding some weight as you get older.
Studies show that there’s as much as a 30% drop in the body’s basal metabolic rate (BMR) by the time a person is 50 years old.
What this means is that a person’s diet needs to change accordingly to account for their slowing metabolism. Consuming fewer calories means that their body doesn’t need to burn as much to maintain their current weight. It’s also a generally good practice if you want to gain better control of your glucose levels.
Decreased Appetite
Another issue seniors face is decreased appetite. They may not have the desire to eat as much, or they may only want to eat less healthy foods.
What happens next is they suffer from inadequate nutrient intake and weight fluctuations.
While vitamin supplements can help, they aren’t a substitute for eating actual food on a regular basis.
Altered Digestive System
Aging can affect how well a person’s digestive system functions, such as the absorption of essential nutrients and the kind of foods it can handle.
For example, greasy and oily foods are difficult to digest. They can provoke heartburn, which can become very debilitating in more severe cases.
Normal nutrient intake may not prove enough as a person gets older, as their digestive system absorbs them less efficiently. They’ll need to eat foods rich in nutrients such as vitamin B12, calcium, and iron.
Risk of Chronic Disease
Older adults are at a higher risk of chronic diseases, ranging from heart disease to diabetes to arthritis. One of the best ways to avoid complications is by maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise.
While developing some of these ailments is inevitable, you can see a marked difference between those who eat healthier versus those who don’t.
Key Components of Healthy Aging Meals
The key components of a healthy diet include balanced macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, fiber, and hydration. All of these different pieces work together to ensure that a person’s body operates as best as it can.
It’s especially important for seniors to take in all of these due to how inefficient their bodies are.
Balanced Macronutrients
A well-balanced diet for seniors begins with macronutrients. The three main ones are proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Protein is essential for muscle maintenance and repair. It can be found in meat products as well as beans and nuts.
Fats provide the necessary fatty acids that help the human body absorb certain vitamins. Carbohydrates supply energy, but they must be consumed in moderation. Too many carbohydrates can result in weight gain and poor metabolic health.
Vitamins and Minerals
Both vitamins and minerals are crucial for bone health, immune function, and cardiovascular health. Some of the more notable ones are calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and potassium.
Calcium comes from dairy products, leafy greens, fortified foods, and fish. Vitamin D is obtained from sunlight exposure, fatty fish, and fortified foods.
Animal products are the main source of B12. Certain fruits and vegetables provide potassium, which is otherwise difficult to obtain from supplements.
Fiber
Adequate fiber intake is important for digestive health. Your body doesn’t absorb fiber. Instead, it helps push waste through your body.
In addition, fiber can provide a substrate for certain beneficial intestinal bacteria.
Hydration
Senior citizens are at a great risk of dehydration because they have a lowered thirst response. Feeling thirsty lets you know to drink more water. Without that, combined with potential memory issues, and an older individual might find themselves forgoing water for long periods of time.
Dining Options for Seniors
Following senior living nutrition tips is much easier if meals are accessible and varied. In an independent living community, residents should have access to multiple dining options and ways to explore nutritional health.
For example, many communities offer a central dining area for residents to socialize and eat healthy meals. They also have the opportunity for in-room dining, which allows those with mobility issues to receive nutritious meals without needing to leave their rooms or homes.
In both cases, the community should provide specialized dietary menus.
Something like culinary workshops or cooking classes can also go a long way by teaching seniors about their nutritional needs. It also helps them become more self-sufficient by cooking for themselves.
Invest in Nutritious Dining in Senior Living
Nutritious dining in senior living is essential if a resident wants any chance at a longer and healthier life. It’s all too easy to let your nutritional intake fall to the wayside as things like isolation and physical disability take the forefront. That’s where an independent senior living community shines.
SummerHouse Beau Ridge provides both active independent living and memory care for its residents. Seniors can enjoy personalized care and a carefree lifestyle.
Reach out today to learn more and schedule a visit.
