Nutrition for Older People

The number of older people is increasing anywhere in the world, and perhaps the greatest challenge we are faced with is that of ensuring the continued good health of these older individuals, which means that there is an increased need to provide adequate education on the proper nutrition for older people. Now, you might wonder exactly what we mean by the definition “older people.” Well, according to the World Health Organization, people aged 60-74 are classified as “elderly” whereas those aged 75 and above are considered “old.” Those who belong to these two age brackets are therefore our targets when we say “older people.”

The energy requirements of an individual can decline as he ages, especially if he engages in limited physical activity. However, his need for protein, vitamins, and minerals still remains the same. Proper nutrition for older people therefore requires nutritionally dense food choices, which means that you will have to continue eating a wide variety of foods that will allow you to get all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. What is important is that you choose foods that are low in calorie content, especially if you are overweight or obese.

The recommendation to restrict fat intake, particularly saturated fat, also remains an essential part of proper nutrition for older people, even if they are relatively fit and healthy. This advice only ceases to be practical for people aged over 75 who have very small appetites or who have lost considerable weight. In these situations, additional fat may even be recommended to promote weight gain. Guidance from a medical and nutritional expert is crucial in such cases.

Older people are more prone to suffer from constipation and other bowel problems due mainly to inactivity and reduced gut motility. To prevent such problems, it is advisable for you to increase your intake of high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. However, you will have to make sure not to consume too much fibre, as this can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients.

It is equally important to drink plenty of fluids to help your gut work properly and to prevent dehydration, which can make you feel constantly drowsy and confused. You should drink about eight to ten glasses of water per day, even if this means you will have to make extra trips to the toilet as well. This is particularly important considering the fact that older people are more prone to dehydration because their kidneys do not function as efficiently as when they were younger. Older people are also less sensitive to the feeling of thirst, which is why they are more likely to drink too little fluid in a day.

And because older people are often unable to eat as much at a single sitting, it is a good idea to eat about six smaller meals in a day. Finally, you should remember to eat a wide variety of foods and to include more nutritious food choices in order to boost your nutrient intake. Take note that proper nutrition for older people is something you should never take for granted.