According to the Illinois Department on Aging, 50% of seniors are either malnourished or in danger of becoming malnourished.
Malnutrition puts them in danger of losing weight or gaining excessive weight. It weakens their bodies, bones, and muscles. It makes them vulnerable to health complications such as cognitive impairment, anemia, and heart problems.
As a senior, you might wonder “how do nutritional needs change over time?” Understanding these changes can help you adapt accordingly, minimizing the risk of malnutrition. Read on to discover how nutritional needs change with age.
Caloric Needs Decrease
As people age, their metabolism slows down, and their bodies lose muscle mass. When this happens, the body requires less energy or calories to perform basic functions like breathing, circulation, and digestion. In addition, seniors are often less physically active.
They cannot undertake intense physical activities like running due to joint pain and other health complications. When you move less, your body burns fewer calories.
Sadly, some seniors continue to eat the same calories as they did when they were young. Most of them gain excess body fat and struggle to shed the extra pounds due to being sedentary. Mitigate this risk by adjusting your caloric intake as you age.
If you live alone at home, you might struggle to adjust the calories you intake in a day. Consider moving to a senior living community to help with healthy aging diet.
Loss of Appetite
As you age, your sense of smell and taste will likely diminish. Foods you used to find delicious might become less enjoyable. Besides, if you live alone, you might struggle to prepare food and eat.
This can lead to unintentional weight loss and malnutrition, as your body may not be getting enough nutrients. The lack of nutrients can weaken your immunity, making you susceptible to infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Seniors should look for ways to manage the loss of appetite. They can eat smaller meals more frequently, which makes eating less overwhelming. Social eating is another way to ensure they’re taking adequate calories.
Increasing their physical activity can stimulate appetite as it makes them feel hungry. After a workout session, such as walking or dancing, the body is usually drained and needs more energy.
Medical Conditions
Older adults are more vulnerable to chronic medical conditions that affect their diet and nutritional needs. Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are more common in seniors. Understanding age-related nutrition changes can help manage these conditions.
Seniors with diabetes should observe their sugar and carbohydrate intake to manage their sugar levels. They may need to seek nutrition tips for seniors to mitigate the risk of sugar spikes. They also require guidance on the foods to eat to manage diabetes effectively.
Conversely, older adults with high blood pressure should reduce their sodium consumption. Observing these dietary requirements at home can be challenging and overwhelming. That’s why it’s advisable for elderly adults to move to a senior living community.
The community has specialists who can educate them on aging and nutrition. Depending on their health conditions, they can get guidance on the foods to eat or avoid. The objective is to observe proper diet to improve their health and overall well-being.
Side Effects of Medications
Most seniors have to take medications to manage chronic health conditions. Some of these medications can have side effects that affect their nutritional needs. Some of them might lead to:
- Appetite changes
- Taste changes
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Changes in Metabolism
- Constipation
Unfortunately, most older adults are unaware of these potential medication side effects. They don’t realize how the medicine they take affects their appetite and nutrition needs. Fill this information gap by consulting your doctor on potential medication and food interactions.
Take things further by moving to a senior living community. On top of getting medication management help in the community, you’ll learn the potential side effects of various drugs. They get tips on managing the impact that affects their appetite and diet.
They’ll attend classes to learn more about age-related nutrition changes. The goal is to make the necessary diet adjustments based on the medications they’re taking.
Oral Health
You may develop oral issues such as tooth loss and gum disease as you age. You might have to get dentures to replace the missing teeth. These things can make it challenging to chew or swallow food.
These oral issues make some seniors reluctant to eat. Sadly, they fail to intake enough calories to support basic functions. Some lose too much weight too fast, which endangers their health.
As you age, look for ways to manage these dental problems. Ensure you see a dentist regularly to minimize the risk of various oral health issues. If you have trouble chewing or swallowing, consult your dentist on how to overcome these issues.
Find alternative ways to consume essential calories, such as drinking smoothies instead of eating hard food. Opt for soft and moist foods such as mashed potatoes, avocados, and scrambled eggs. These food options are relatively easy to chew and swallow, providing the nutrients your body needs.
Increased Need for Protein
Protein is necessary to maintain muscle mass, which naturally declines as you age. You may experience muscle weakness and a slow recovery from illness or injury without adequate protein. That’s why one of the dietary needs by age is to increase your protein intake.
Eat foods that are rich in proteins, such as;
- Eggs
- Lean meats
- Fish and seafood
- Dairy and dairy alternatives
- Beans and legumes
- Protein shakes and powders
- Soft cheeses
Taking these foods can help you prevent muscle loss. It can promote bone health and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Understand “How Do Nutritional Needs Change over Time” to Enhance Your Health
Learning “how do nutritional needs change over time” can help seniors enhance their health. They can learn how to improve their appetites and the right foods to eat.
At our Senior Living in Salisbury, MD, we offer reliable dietary and nutritional guidance. Our skilled specialists guide seniors on a healthy aging diet.
Contact us today to learn more about our senior living services.
