One of the greatest factors in senior wellness is to maintain healthy eating habits. As we get older, our metabolism changes, and we may find ourselves dealing with health problems that require special diets. Living alone, most of us don’t relish cooking large meals for ourselves. For others, eating alone can be depressing and make them avoid doing so. Staying healthy requires keeping up on good eating habits, however. This can easily be achieved by incorporating a few small things into your life. Let Northfield senior community show you what this can be.
Reduce Salt and Sugar Use
The two most often specialized diets for senior wellness are low-salt and low-sugar. You don’t have to be on a special diet to benefit from reducing both these things in your diet. Try switching sugary snacks for naturally sweet ones like fruit. Substitute salt with other flavorful herbs and spices. You may be surprised at how much you like these new flavors. Try cayenne pepper, thyme, and turmeric to start. These are packed with flavor. There are a wide variety of seasoning blends that do not include salt. Find one you like. You won’t even miss the salt.
Consider a Supplement
It can be difficult to eat enough food to get all the nutrients you need when you find your appetite weaker. Ask your doctor if a daily multi-vitamin or individual supplements may help make sure you are getting the recommended amount of each vitamin and mineral.
Choose Healthy Fats
Eliminating fat from your diet completely can be dangerous. Instead, try limiting yourself to healthy fats. Nuts and fish are two excellent sources of these healthy fats, and they provide a ton of flavor.
Follow Suggested Serving Size
We often misjudge how large a portion is appropriate. Talk with a nutritionist about what a suggested serving size is and become familiar with the sizes. Try to follow these guidelines to reduce the chance of adding extra weight to create pressure on your heart.
Eat a Variety of Foods
Someone once said you know you are practicing good eating habits when your diet consists of a rainbow. Make sure you include a wide variety of foods in your diet. Vegetables and fruits are especially important, and each color group is packed full of a different set of nutrients. Include a rainbow in your diet.
Include Fiber
Our body systems tend to slow down as we age. Make sure you include plenty of fiber in your diet so that you can keep your digestive system in top shape. Your digestive health is one of the most important elements in a healthy body overall.
Drink Water
It may seem like a simple thing, but many of us don’t drink enough water. Instead, we opt for drinks that aren’t as hydrating. As we age, we don’t experience the sensation of thirst as strongly. This can result in not drinking enough liquid, which ends up in dehydration. Make a point of drinking plenty of liquid. You may try investing in a pre-marked water bottle if you find yourself getting lax in this area.
Making Senior Wellness Easier
Here at Northfield, we take the work out of healthy eating habits by including three well-balanced meals a day that can be eaten in the community dining area or delivered to your living unit. We offer dining options to meet all your dining preferences and offer choices that fit dietary restrictions. If you or your loved one would like the chance to have meals already prepared daily, contact us at 844.334.1490 to discuss what we have available. Every unit also includes a kitchenette, allowing our residents to do their meal preparation if they prefer. This is just one of the many amenities you will find in this senior living community.
