Seniors and Their Dietary Needs

Finding the right foods and the food that aging seniors want can be quite challenging at times. Being in the senior dining industry for over twenty-five years, I have come to learn that seniors not only need what I consider five of the most indispensable foods that they can benefit from in terms of getting the vitamins and minerals that an aging person needs, but there are some foods which they just simply like and to have and enjoy.

As we age, our bodies become more and more inefficient, which in turn heightens the need for a more balanced and healthy diet. While nutrition is extremely important, we must also be able to respect people’s wishes to choose what they want. And that means that they should have the right to choose what they want to eat. This is where the challenging part comes in because as care providers, it is our job to ensure that all our seniors get what they need, as well as what they want.

First, there is the “Incredible Edible” egg. These are loaded with B-12, which is one of the body’s most important vitamins as it keeps the red blood cells healthy. As we age our bodies begin to find it a bit more difficult to absorb B-12. By including eggs in our daily diets, the body can absorb some of the B-12 vitamins that it needs, along with some of the other essential vitamins that the body needs, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, and protein to boot.

Second, there is the all-time favorite, milk, which if many seniors had it their way, would want to get it directly from the source. Milk of course is a great source of calcium and vitamin D, which helps minimize bone loss osteoporosis. Milk is also a source of potassium, which can enhance vasodilation and reduce blood pressure. Increasing potassium intake and decreasing sodium can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, since milk also contains a high amount of saturated fat and cholesterol, nutritionists recommend that seniors strive to drink three oz servings of low-fat milk three times day.

Third, there is salmon, a great source of vitamin D. Studies have shown that vitamin D may also protect against some chronic diseases as well as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Salmon supplies Omega-3 fatty acids, which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to help reduce the risk of high cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease. Salmon is considered a superfood as it includes the Vitamin B complex source, the entire vitamin B group, B3, B5, B7, B6, B9, B12, etc. All these vitamins work together to help lower cholesterol levels, improve brain health and nervous system. The Omega-3 fatty acids also enhance the eyesight and could help to cure dry-eye syndrome and age-related macular degeneration. The benefits from eating salmon are like the never-ending story, an endless array of benefits.

Fourth, the “World’s Perfect Food”. As with salmon, the banana comes with all kinds of benefits. Loaded with B-6 to encourage the production of white blood cells, they are also rich in potassium, which is an important mineral and electrolyte necessary for muscular function and digestion while at the same time helping to balance the sodium in the body. One of the benefits of the banana is that it contains natural oils and enzymes that not only helps the body to digest but also helps lubricate the digestive tract. The fiber in the banana not only helps with bowel movement but also helping when having digestive issues such as diarrhea. The potassium may also prevent the body from developing kidney stones while the B6 can help in regulating the blood glucose levels. As I read somewhere, “like our banana-loving chimpanzees, we have the perfect length and shape of fingers just made for peeling bananas”.

And fifth, the all-time favorite, Oatmeal. Not only does oatmeal have the highest source of protein than any other grain, but it is also a delicious source of fiber that also low in fat. It is not only a good source of carbs and fiber, but is also loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants. Oatmeal is very filling and can help you lose weight. By eating foods that are filling, you are reducing your calorie intake, which in turn may help lose weight. And in case you didn’t know, fine ground oats may also help with skin care. That’s right! Makers of skin products often list ground oat as “colloidal oatmeal”, which was approved by the FDA in 2003. So that not only means that you can have a healthy breakfast, but you can also look beautiful while you are eating it.

There is a back side to all these wonderful foods, and that is that many seniors may be allergic to some of these foods, some may be lactose intolerant, etc. And there will be some circumstances when an elderly person may have the need of a supplement should they not be able to get enough of a specific nutrient in their diet. Having said that, that doesn’t mean that our seniors will always eat what they are supposed to. Which is why we prepare foods that are low in sodium or with no added salt and foods with no concentrated sweets.

We strive to give our seniors the best options that we can while still respecting their rights to make choices and maintaining their respect and privacy. A pleasurable dining experience should always be one of our main goals as it is not only their meal they want to enjoy, but also the company of their neighbors. This is their time to visit and socialize, a time when they should not have to worry about whether they are being fed a good nutritional, but rather enjoy those precious moments with their friends.

Our seniors have a wealth of knowledge that would behoove us to tap into, to learn as many old school lessons and try to incorporate them into today’s world. With the attitude that the lessons of yesteryear and the new and exciting discoveries of today, there is no doubt in my mind that we can still make a better tomorrow for our seniors today.

Chef