by Kathrine Mills

Created on: May 21, 2010   Last Updated: May 22, 2010

Eating healthy is a challenge for most Americans today, but when we address the elderly population we run into some special circumstances that limit their ability to access and prepare healthy foods. These foods, however, are an important part of staying healthy for all people, but especially seniors. 

Malnutrition has been found to be a very serious problem in those elderly who do not get sufficient food. It leads to lower quality health and more of a likely hood of being underweight.

These issues can cause many unneeded complications in the lives of seniors and must be avoided at all costs. Here are some examples of quick and easy tips to help the senior in your life find healthier foods more accessible.

1. Follow the Rules!
Following the updated guidelines found on MyPyramid, which is established by the U.S.D.A., will help avoid any malnutrition issues in seniors. This pyramid is made up of blocks which symbolize each of the separate food groups and gives the suggested servings per day for a healthy body. The suggested intake of each food group for adults is listed there. 

2.  Schedule a shopping day. 
According to the May 2000 survey done by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, one of the bigger issues for most seniors lacking in healthy foods, is the inability to access these them.

Scheduling a special shopping day ensures the availability of these fresh ingredients and encourages the senior to eat more vegetables and produce.

3. Set up an environment for success.
It’s important to remember that physical limitations may stop your senior from being able to prepare and enjoy the foods that are good for them. Opening cans of fruit, cutting and preparing peppers, or even just having to bite and chew things such as apples and pears can prove a difficult task at older ages.

Preparing a low counter top or table space where the food preparations can be done daily, to help prepare these healthy foods is a great way to make it easier on a senior wishing to keep active.  Investing in special slicers or food processors can be beneficial to the preparation and consumption of these foods as well. 

4.  Supplement where needed.
One of the more serious things to remember is that even when all the suggested foods are being eaten, there may be an issue with absorption in older adults. This means that vitamin supplements may be necessary.

Vitamins such as B12, D, and Calcium are all found to run low in seniors, even when appropriate dietary measure as followed. Adding these supplements should be done after consulting with the primary care physician to ensure appropriate doses are given. 

Finally the last step is to remember that eating healthy and avoiding empty calories isn’t enough! Exercise is one of the biggest keys to keeping healthy as an older adult. Without doing much, the food one intakes will simply add to the body.

Keeping moving will help the metabolism to stay active and process foods the way they are meant to be. Following these guidelines can overall help assist in proper maintenance of the digestive system and keep the elderly body functioning at its peek performance. 

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