If you are helping your elderly loved one to manage their diet or eat healthier, you will need to make sure they are getting the essential nutrients. Professionals recommend that elderly adults get certain nutrients to live a healthier lifestyle. Read more about the most recommended nutrients for elderly adults here today.
Fiber
It is important that all elderly adults get enough fiber in their daily diet. These will help to improve your elderly loved one’s digestive system. Fiber can also help to reduce the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. If your elderly loved one needs to get more fiber in their diet, you can have them eat whole-grain cereals, whole grain bread, peas, and beans. There are many other vegetables and fruits that are filled with fiber, too.
Vitamin D and Calcium
Two of the things that your elderly loved one needs in their daily diet are Vitamin D and calcium. Both of these will help to maintain or even improve your elderly loved one’s bone health. To make sure your elderly loved one is getting enough Vitamin D and calcium in their diet, they should have things such as leafy green vegetables, fruit juices, fortified cereal, canned fish, salmon, low-fat products, and eggs.
Vitamin B12
Your elderly loved one should be getting enough Vitamin B12, as well. Many elderly adults have low Vitamin B12 levels. If you want to help your elderly loved one get more of this vitamin in their diet, they should be eating fortified cereals, lean meat, fish, and other seafood. If you don’t think your elderly loved one will get enough Vitamin B12 in their diet, have their senior care provider take them to the next doctor’s appointment. The doctor can determine if a supplement is needed.
Healthy Fats
While it is important to make sure your elderly loved one doesn’t have too much fat in their diet, there are healthy fats they should be getting. These are monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats. To increase the healthy fats in your elderly loved one’s diet, they should be eating more fish, avocados, seeds, and nuts. These can improve your elderly loved one’s heart health.
Potassium
Potassium is another nutrient that your elderly loved one needs to have in their diet. This can help your elderly loved one to have more manageable blood pressure. To get more potassium in your elderly loved one’s diet, they should eat more beans, vegetables, fruits, and fat-free dairy products.
These are some of the nutrient needs that your elderly loved one may have. If your elderly loved one is having a difficult time getting any of these nutrients in their diet, they can talk to their doctor to see if a supplement would be necessary.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elderly Care in Arroyo Grande, CA, please contact the friendly staff at San Luis Obispo Caregivers.
Call today: (805) 748-2614
Sources
Choosemyplate.gov
Medlineplus.gov