Five Ways to Make Better Food Choices for Older People As we get older, it’s even more important to choose healthier foods and drinks for our health.
At any age, certain raw produce, fried foods, foods high in sodium, unpasteurized milk and dairy products, and fried foods should be avoided or limited.There are a number of food assistance programs that can assist an older adult whose limited income makes it difficult for them to purchase healthy foods.There is a lot of information available regarding the best foods for seniors. Additionally, our cultural preferences and, hopefully, our health influence our decisions. What about foods to avoid after age 60, though?
Although not exhaustive, the following list highlights some dietary recommendations for healthy aging.
How to make better food choices for seniors: What to watch out for: Foods that don’t have any calories “Empty calorie” or “junk” foods are foods that may fill you up but don’t have any nutrients in them. They typically contain a lot of calories, refined carbohydrates, saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. It is best to limit these foods to “once-in-a-while” treats. A few examples: pastries, cookies, sugary soft drinks, sports drinks, potato chips, and other fried snacks.
2. Foods that could suffocate an elderly person Dry mouth, which can be brought on by dehydration, diabetes, nerve damage, or certain medications, can make it difficult for them to swallow or chew. Foods should be the right consistency for people who have trouble swallowing. Here are a few: shakes, soups, pudding, and vegetables that have been pureed or mashed
3. Raw or unpasteurized foods Foodborne illness is a concern because older adults’ immune systems are less effective at fighting infections. The third most common cause of food poisoning death in the United States is Listeria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Older people are particularly vulnerable to this potentially fatal infection because more than half of all cases of Listeria affect people 65 and older.
4. Grapefruit Grapefruit doesn’t belong on a list of foods to avoid after 60. However, medications for insomnia, anxiety, and high blood pressure may be affected by grapefruit juice. For older people, other fruits and fruit juices like tomato juice, orange juice, and cranberry juice are better choices.
5. Alcohol may have a different effect on us as we get older than it did when we were younger, whether we drink beer or wine. In addition to having a negative effect on sleep quality, alcohol Older diabetics may experience hypoglycemia and elevated blood pressure as a result. A few medications can also be affected by alcohol consumption. If you’re over the age of 18, you should talk to your doctor about how alcohol might affect your health. According to the most recent U.S. Dietary Guidelines, men who drink alcohol should limit themselves to no more than two drinks per day and women to no more than one drink per day.1
