Tabitha Offers Tips for Healthy Eating for Elderly to Get their Plates in Shape
There is a lot of information out there about proper nutrition, making it difficult for people keep track of what a healthy diet entails, so Tabitha (Tabitha.org) recently offered some tips for elderly adults to maintain healthy eating habits. These tips are crucial because malnutrition in older adults can lead to various health concerns, including emphysema, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, cancer, an overactive thyroid and urinary or respiratory infections. Weakened muscles and decreased bone mass caused by lack of protein and calcium can increase chances of falls and fractures. Those with poor nutrition also have a higher risk of hospitalization and an increased risk of post-operative complications and infections. Here are some ways to start getting your “plate in shape:”
- Fruits and vegetables – Fill half your plate with these food items. Think orange, red, green, and purple.
- Switch your milk – Choose skim or 1% milk.
- Whole grains – Make sure half of your grains are 100% whole grains, like whole-wheat flour and pasta, oatmeal, and brown rice.
- Vary your protein choices – Try to choose more lean meats, seafood, eggs, and beans. Salmon is a great source of protein as well as Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D.
- Use added sugars and salt sparingly.
- Eat a variety of foods and at least three meals a day.
- When using cooking oils, select olive and canola oils.
For more information and aging tips, visit Tabitha.org or call (402) 486-8520.