Name: Vermont Aged Care
Address: TULLAMARINE, VIC, 3043, Australia
Telephone: +61 03-9873 5300
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Healthy Eating as You Age

Part one

Healthy eating as you age should be a continuation of a lifetime of healthy eating. However, that is not a reality for everyone. All sorts of circumstances may have affected your lifetime eating habits. Lack of funds, busy lifestyles and other factors may have led you to eat poorly for many years. Furthermore, many people are addicted to fast foods. Food fried in oil, chips, and processed easily available foods have become quite the norm.

Here at Vermont Aged Care however we know how important good nutrition is for the elderly. We love our residents and we make sure they eat healthily. That does not mean they are denied treats. It does mean the emphasis is on healthy eating. That is why we are happy to pass on these helpful hints on the subject. Because we know it is not easy to care for an elderly loved one. Furthermore, eating well is vital to their health and well-being. See link at: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating

Some basic facts

The experts agree on the following basic facts. And they are that food falls under five groups.

Vegetables, including different types and colours, and legumes/beans
Fruit
Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties, such as breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa and barley
Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans
Milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or their alternatives.

Your elderly loved one may enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from these five groups everyday. Of course certain factors may come into play. Factors such as health problems, budgets and eating issues. However it is important to get the nutrients they require for good health. The link is: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/food-essentials/five-food-groups.

Shopping and cost savings

Shopping and cost savings can go together very well. That’s because planning the menus and making a shopping list before leaving home will do the job for you. For instance, when making a stew, it is not necessary to buy half a kilo of carrots. Depending on the number of people half to one medium-sized is probably sufficient. Therefore, working to a recipe Will calculate the precise amounts of each food you require. this will save you wastage and money.

Physical activity versus kilojoules

Your elderly loved one will need fewer kilojoules than you for instance. Otherwise they risk putting on weight because their body will not be able to burn off the excess. As this could lead to health problems it is an important factor to watch. Knowing them as you do, you will soon notice if their clothes are becoming tighter. Nonetheless, they still need the right amount of nutrients. This will ensure they maintain muscle strength and a healthy weight. For example, elderly people need increased calcium intake for strong bones. As well as supplements, ensure they get a supply of calcium rich foods.

Foods to avoid

Limit the intake of the following foods and drinks for your elderly loved one. Foods and drinks containing fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohol. These often come under the label of discretionary foods and drinks. If you elderly loved one enjoys the occasional glass of wine that is fine. A trip to their GP who knows their medical history will be invaluable in this context. That is because everyone is different. Furthermore no two people have the same health issues. Beer is a good example of this, because it contains yeast. And yeast can be harmless or harmful depending upon the individual. Link: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/food-essentials/fat-salt-sugars-and-alcohol

Digestion and transit

Digestion and transit problems are not limited to the elderly. However, it is true that digestions and transit slows down as we get older. A gentle walk around the garden for between 15 and 20 minutes is excellent for the digestion. High-fibre foods and drinking lots of water Is essential to avoid constipation. Those two areas need watching in the elderly in particular.

In conclusion

We will continue this series on healthy eating as you age to help you in caring for your elderly loved one. Look out for our next blog very soon. Until then dear friends, from our family here, at Vermont Aged Care, we wish you and your elderly loved one continued good health.