How do you know if your elderly loved one is eating right? Their food choices are important because now that they need fewer calories, they are eating less food. But their nutrient requirements have not decreased. This means they need to be eating nutrient-dense super foods in order to stay healthy. They must also choose wisely so they don’t gain a bunch of weight while their bodies attempt to get enough nutrition.
The United States Department of Agriculture has developed a new pyramid for food intake. It can be found at www.choosemyplate.gov. When you get to the page, just use the website’s search bar and enter “steps to a healthier you.” Here you can find loads of information about healthy food choices. You can also go to www.mypyramid.gov to make a customized food pyramid for yourself or your elderly loved one, based on gender, age and activity level.
For an interesting exercise, you could get your loved one to write down everything they eat each day for a week. Then at the end of the week you can sit down with them and check how they’ve done compared to the food pyramid for their age and gender. The next step would be to use their customized food pyramid to plan out a menu for the next week and then go buy the food they need for the meals.
If going grocery shopping, getting food prepared, cleaning up after meals and other such activities have become very difficult for your elderly loved one, perhaps they could benefit from in-home care service. Having a caregiver to help them with all these chores and activities could really give a boost to their happiness and well-being.
Some nutrient-rich foods for your elderly loved one
- Spinach – this leafy green is sweet tasting and packed with vitamins and calcium. It also has iron and fiber. It can be eaten fresh or steamed, sautéed, baked or boiled.
- Sweet potatoes – this naturally sweet tuber is a great source of B vitamins as well as vitamin A and fiber.
- Salmon – one of the most popular sources of omega-3 fatty acids, it helps your loved one also get vitamin D and vitamin B-12, protein and selenium.
- Grapefruit – a juicy fruit, this citrus is extremely high for both vitamin A and vitamin C. It’s considered great for your immune system. It can be eaten so many ways; find a way that doesn’t require loads of sugar.
- Kale – this popular green contains fabulous amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin which are known to be good for eyesight. It is similar to broccoli in one way and similar to spinach in another.
- Avocado – this creamy fruit is a great source of folate, potassium, vitamin E and lutein.