Eating healthy is an important part of everyone’s lifestyle, including older adults! In a study performed in 2018, 15 journal articles, that involved studies identifying if a healthy diet is beneficial for older adults, were collected to answer the question; Are dietary patterns correlated to older adults quality of life? This study found that healthy dietary patterns were associated with better quality of life in the older adult population. (Govindaraju et al., 2018)
Good nutrition helps give you energy and helps manage your weight. It also can help prevent diseases, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancers, and osteoporosis. (U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d.)
How can older adults implement a healthier diet?
- Avoid empty calories: empty calories include chips, soda, candy, baked goods, and alcohol.
- Pick foods low in cholesterol and fat.
- Increase fruit and vegetable intake. Choose different types with different colors.
- Eat beans, nuts, and seeds.
- Eat whole grains, such as oatmeal, brown rice, and whole wheat bread.
- Eat seafood, poultry, eggs, and lean meat.
- Drink fat free milk or lowfat milk. (U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d.)
Encourage your loved one to implement these healthy tips into their daily routine, to increase their overall health as they age! For more tools, tips, and hands on education for a healthier lifestyle, reach out to Home Therapy Solutions and schedule an occupational and physical therapy evaluation! 218-230-2171
Resources:
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Nutrition for older adults. MedlinePlus. Retrieved June 14, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/nutritionforolderadults.html….
- Govindaraju, T., Sahle, B., McCaffrey, T., McNeil, J., & Owen, A. (2018). Dietary patterns and quality of life in older adults: A systematic review. Nutrients, 10( 8 ), 971. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu100809711
