One of the most critical aspects of good health, especially in senior citizens, is good nutrition. Balanced nutrition is important both for a strong body and to help fight off mental impairment – but making nutritious, tasty meals can be difficult for those who have difficulty eating. For these people, poor nutrition may cause mood swings, weight loss, and an increase of aggravated health issues.
The guidelines to good nutrition are the same for those who have difficulty eating than those who do not – but the meals may need to be prepared differently in order to properly address the challenges. Here are some helpful tips to help if you are responsible for cooking food for a senior loved one.
- Offer a balanced diet including a broad spectrum of foods, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy products, and lean protein.
- Reduce intake of foods with high saturated fat levels, which will affect cholesterol.
- Minimize refined sugars, which can be found in most processed food.
- Decrease the amount of sodium intake, and use less salt in cooking. Too much salt can increase blood pressure, which is a serious risk for senior citizens.
Is a Soft Diet Right for You?
Soft diets are comprised of foods which can be easily digested. Theses diets are often recommended for older adults who are recovering from surgical procedures or living with other chronic medical conditions. Soft diets are also recommended for individuals who have swallowing disorders, known as dysphagia.
These are some foods that can be incorporated in soft diets
- Vegetables – well cooked zucchini, carrots, chopped spinach, green beans, broccoli
- Fruits – cooked pears, apples and peaches; pureed fruits such as applesauce, avocado, bananas
- Eggs – cooked whole eggs, egg whites, egg salad
- Soups –broth-based soups
- Grains and starches – mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, cooked cereals, soft noodles
Foods to Avoid if You Have Difficulty Eating
Individuals with eating difficulties should avoid foods that are hard to chew or digest. Spicy or acidic foods should also be eliminated. Here is a list of foods to avoid to keep your health up to par:
- Raw vegetables or vegetables with seeds
- Fresh fruits with peels and seeds, or highly acidic fruits like limes and lemons
- Dairy products like hard cheeses
- Deep fried foods
- Nuts or chocolate
- Tough cuts of meat, or whole cuts of meat
- Fried poultry or fish
- Spicy foods like hot peppers or tabasco sauce
- Chewy candies, seeded jellies and jams
- Alcoholic beverages
Senior adults who eat healthy, nutritious meals are more likely to lead happy lives; and to thrive more so than their counterparts who do not. When preparing food for loved ones with eating difficulties, choose soft, easily digestible foods and avoid irritating, hard to chew food items – but remember to keep it healthy! By investing time and diligence into learning more about the topic, you can provide the healthy meals your loved one needs.
A Banyan Residence is a senior care assisted living and memory care facility in The Villages, Florida.
