Healthy Eating in Older Adults
As we age, our health can naturally decline. Maintaining a nutrient-dense diet is important for older adults because of the impact of food intake on health.
Healthy Eating in Older Adults
As we age, our health can naturally decline with conditions such as arthritis, heart disease or Type 2 diabetes. Maintaining a nutrient-dense diet is important for older adults because of the impact of food intake on health. Some of the of the main ways dietary needs change for older people are :
- Less physical activity and energy expenditure leads to a slower metabolism and fewer calories needed.
- Years of research have demonstrated that diet quality has a huge effect on physical condition, cognitive condition, bone health, eye health, vascular function, and the immune system.
- Mobility issues could make it challenging to shop for ingredients, or to spend time preparing meals from scratch.
- Oral health could result in less food being eaten or different food choices being made due to pain or discomfort, or a reduced ability to swallow (dysphagia).
What are the main nutritional needs of older adults?
Maintaining a nutrient-dense diet is critically important for older adults because of the impact of food intake on health. Years of research have demonstrated that diet quality has a huge effect on physical condition, cognitive condition, bone health, eye health, vascular function, and the immune system. Yet, this can be challenging to achieve for several reasons:
Older adults may need assistance with making meals from the comfort of their own home. Here at Home Instead, we offer