Six Tips to Help Seniors Adopt a Healthier Way of Eating

Eating healthier is something that lots of seniors want to do, but might not be sure how to accomplish. Cooking, especially for just one person, could also be a problem for aging adults. Home care assistance can be just the right answer when seniors want to eat healthier but are having a difficult time sticking to their plans.

Encourage Hydration

Any plan for healthier eating needs to include proper hydration. Most seniors may not be getting enough of the fluids their bodies need, so it’s important to drink plenty of fluids and eat hydrating foods. For exact amounts of water to drink, seniors should talk to their doctors. But since seniors tend to experience a reduced sense of thirst, it doesn’t hurt to sip on hydrating beverages all day long.

Watch for Excess Salt and Sugar

Most healthy diet recommendations include rules about excess sugar and salt. That’s because these two ingredients may lead to health issues, particularly for seniors, and they’re not necessary. Home care providers can help seniors find products while shopping that include less added sugar and salt. They can also help seniors eat more whole foods, which automatically reduces both of these ingredients.

Keep an Eye on Portions

Seniors tend to experience lower activity levels and slower metabolisms. That might mean that they eat the same amounts of food that they used to for years and suddenly they start to have more trouble with a few extra pounds they can’t budge. Reducing portion sizes slightly can help to account for those changes in activity levels and help seniors control excess weight more easily.

Consider Smaller Meals More Often

If seniors are having trouble with energy levels or struggling to get enough nutrients, they might need smaller meals more often during the day. Home care assistance can make it easier for them to graze or snack on nutritious and filling mini-meals. This is especially helpful for seniors who are trying to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables along with more protein. Pairing the two in a snack can feel more manageable than a full meal.

Exercise Can Help

When seniors are cleared for exercise, they might find that moving more helps to stimulate appetite and improves energy levels. As seniors sit around more, they’re more likely to lose muscle tone and feel less energized. That can lead to them not wanting to do things, including eat healthy meals and snacks.

Get Their Doctor’s Perspective

If seniors are still having trouble shifting their diet to a healthier version, their doctor may have more specific recommendations for them. Sometimes supplements help or there are other options, like switching to different textures to make food more appealing. Doctors can help narrow down some of those other ideas.

Finding the right healthy eating habits isn’t something that seniors have to struggle through on their own. Home care assistance can be there for them along the way, making these changes easier to handle and making them more fun to try as well.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Mountain View, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 317-4969.