The nutritional state of older people is fundamental. A healthy diet and adequate physical activity can help to prevent disability, control chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and improve the quality of life in people as they get older.
But sometimes, a diet can be affected by external factors such as mood, lack of family or social support,
socioeconomic status, oral health, and lifestyle choices.
Some recommendations to promote adequate nutrition are:
- Respect, as much as possible, the culinary culture, desires, and preferences of each person.
- Include a varied diet to avoid monotony in meals.
- Have between 4 and 5 meals a day,in moderate quantities, and with a light dinner.
- Breakfast should be eaten daily and should be filling, and it is advisable to wait at least one hour after eating before going to bed.
- Try to eat in company, to favor the more social aspect of eating.
- At this stage of life, we often stop feeling thirsty, and for this reason, it is recommended, to maintain adequate hydration, to drink liquids on a regular basis even if you do not feel thirsty, especially in the hottest months.
- Foods such as noodles or macaroni, rice, dairy products, cooked vegetables, boiled fish or purees are a good alternative on the menu when chewing is difficult.
- Remember: a balanced diet is the basis for active and healthy aging.
- Try to consume five servings of fruit and vegetables daily. For example: have fresh-squeezed juice at breakfast, eat a piece of fruit mid-morning, include salads and vegetables at lunch and dinner, and instead of a sweet, snack on fruit, which is a very healthy alternative. It will help prevent illness and improve health.
- Whenever possible, it is better to use fresh vegetables and legumes.
- But there's no problem with using the frozen ones. And to snack between meals, fruit is the best option.
