As your body ages, your nutritional requirements change too. What you ate as a teenager, young adult or middle ager cannot be the same thing you will eat now that you’re older. Your body needs food that will help it be at its healthiest state.
Say goodbye to eating just about anything. Calcium and Vitamin D should be part of your new diet. These help maintain bone health compared to when you were younger. Purchase foods rich in calcium such as fortified cereals and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, fortified plant-base beverages, and canned fish with soft bones. For your source of Vitamin D, look to fatty fish like salmon, eggs and fortified foods and beverages. Don’t forget the early morning sun does wonders to your skin too!
Foods rich in dietary fibers are also beneficial to elders and seniors. They lower the risk of cardiac disease and protect you from diabetes. You should become familiar with whole grain breads and cereals, more lentils and beans peas. Vegetables and fruits are always encouraged for all ages and you should not neglect this too.
Get to know the type of fats you consume. Food low in saturated fats helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are primarily found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and vegetable oils and are recommended for you.
When taking potassium, ensure you take it adequately and limit your sodium (salt) intake. This controls your risk of high blood pressure. Vegetables, fruits, beans and low-fat products are all sources of potassium. Take food with little or no added salt. You can spice up the food with herbs and spices.
These major nutritional requirements will see that you age wonderfully. Get creative with these meals, and look for many ways to combine them together, and have your taste buds dancing. But most importantly, provide your body with all the essential vitamins it needs.
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