Three Essential Food Types for your Elderly Relatives
Looking after our health through eating a balanced diet is important at any age, but as we get older our dietary requirements can change. There are a number of food types that are essential for elderly relatives when ensuring that they’re getting all of the nutrients they need.
Protein
You may instantly associate high protein diets with gym bunnies, but foods containing protein are important for the elderly too. This is because muscles can deteriorate over time and muscle loss can be detrimental to an older relative’s health. Through eating the recommended amount of protein, your loved ones will feel stronger and can combat a loss of muscle function they might otherwise face. Meat and dairy products are great sources of protein and they contain essential amino acids too, although vegans can also find protein in grains, nuts, and fruit and veg.
Fruit and vegetables
If your elderly relative complains of a headache, has dry lips, or is feeling particularly weak, it could be due to dehydration. Encouraging them to drink a couple of glasses of water or another beverage could help them to feel better.
Tips for keeping elderly relatives hydrated
On the subject of fruit and vegetables, these play a very important part in any diet – including those of elderly relatives. Packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fibre, fruit and veg can help to defend the body from all kinds of diseases and will give the immune system a boost too. Fresh, canned, and frozen fruit and vegetables will all benefit your elderly relative’s diet, and it’s recommended that five hand-sized portions are consumed each day.
Healthy fats
Fat might seem like a swear word when it comes to a healthy diet, but healthy fats actually play an important role, especially for elderly people. Junk food high in saturated fat is only to be enjoyed in moderation, but foods containing unsaturated fats can reduce the risk of heart disease and help to lower cholesterol. For example, fats found in oily fish, seeds, and avocados are all beneficial when eaten as part of a balanced diet.
These three essential food groups are just some of the factors that create a healthy diet for your elderly relative. Share them with your loved ones today to help them to stay fit and healthy.
