Nutrition for Seniors

By Paul Webb

Healthy eating and nutrition for the elderly is greatly impacted by several factors, one of them being a change in body composition. During the later years in life, the body loses bone and muscle and gains fat because of metabolism changes.

There are many factors which hinder an elderly person's health. The information below will help you lead a healther life - no matter how old you may be.

• Water -- Water in the body decreases with age, so many older folks become dehydrated very easily. Sometimes an older person does not feel the need to drink. Even though you don't feel that you need water it is still important to drink. You should drink at least 1 ounce of water for every 2.2 pounds of weight.
• Protein -- At this stage in life, protein is very important. Protein is needed to support a healthy immune system and prevent the wasting of muscle. Since energy needs are less, older folks should eat high quality protein such as eggs, lean meats, poulty, and fish.
• Carbs and fiber -- Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the entire body. You can find carbs in bread, cereals, pasta, and other grain products. A diet that's high in fiber and water will help to prevent constipation as well.
• Fat -- Fat intake for the elderly should be limited, not eliminated. You can limit fat by choosing lean meats, low fat dairy products, and food preperation methods that don't include frying.
• Iron -- For the elderly, iron deficiency is evident in those who aren't eating enough. Good sources for iron include lean red meats or breakfast cereals.
• Zinc -- Zinc intake is normally low with the elderly, and to make matters worse, it's not absorbed very well either. Meat, poultry, and fish should be a part of your diet to help you meet the requirements for zinc.
• Calcium -- Calcium is one ingredient that most elderly folks simply aren't getting enough of. Most believe that milk upsets their stomach, and therefore they will avoid it. They should be getting around 1,500 mg of calcium a day, and nonfat powdered milk can be used in recipes as a substitute for milk. Other foods such as yogurt, low fat cheese, and broccoli can also help you meet the requirements for calcium.

Each one of the above nutrients is needed to keep an aged body in good health. Elderly individuals should try to stay active and strive for a well balanced diet. Even though the aged body isn't the same as it used to be, proper care and the right nutrients can help the elderly enjoy a healthy and long life.

About the Author:

Paul Webb is a firm believer in exercise and health. He has more articles and information on health and fitness on his websites. You can visit them at treadmills.cc or seniorshealthinfo.com and trymyrecipes.net.

Article courtesy of www.goarticles.com.