Even the most active of older adults may find it difficult to keep up with creating and eating nutritious meals. There are many reasons, such as trouble chewing, decreased sense of taste or smell, dietary restrictions, medication side effects, mobility issues or feeling lonely. However, as we age, a well-balanced and nutritious diet is vitally important to help maintain not only physical health but cognitive health as well. If you’re still not convinced, here’s how good nutrition can keep seniors independent for longer.
Incorporating the Right Foods into Senior Diets Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is the key to getting all the important vitamins and minerals. Vitamin D, calcium, and potassium are especially important for older adults who have a tendency to be deficient in all three. A great way to ensure these vitamins and minerals are incorporated is through fresh produce as opposed to canned or frozen fruits and vegetables (although those will do in a pinch). Seniors should also include a variety of high-fiber foods like beans, peas and lentils every day (whole grains are in that category) to help improve digestion, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of heart problems by moderating blood pressure and lowering high cholesterol. Senior Nutrition Recommendations from the USDA At our assisted living facility in Morris County, we follow the lead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) when it comes to the nutrition of our senior residents. Here are their top recommendations for people who are 50 years or older:
In cold weather, soups are a great way to fill up with essential vitamins and minerals by adding legumes rich in fiber and fresh vegetables. At Lester Senior Living, our homemade soups are so popular, we stock them in our General Store, so residents can enjoy them any time in their apartments. If you’d like to sample the dining options at Lester Senior Living before moving in, we invite you to contact David Rozen to meet for a free lunch at our assisted living residence. You and your loved one can try out the delicious, kosher meals with fellow residents in our elegant dining rooms. For more information about senior meal plans and community life at Lester Senior Living, please visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted on https://jchcorp.org/the-importance-of-good-nutrition-for-seniors/.
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AuthorWe offer seniors a range of options in terms of housing, services, amenities, location and cost, all within the Jewish tradition: independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite, affordable housing, enriching programs, and on-site services for our residents, many of whom have special needs. Archives
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