Top 5 Nutrition Needs Of Elderly People

Top 5 Nutrition Needs Of Elderly People - Growing old is really a fact of life. For some, this can be a bitter fact, while others embrace aging gracefully. As our body grows older, everything about this changes, including our nutritional requirements. We don‘t need nutrients for growth and development anymore. Rather, the focus in our diet shifts to keeping one‘s body shielded from various diseases related to age and weight. That‘s the reason why It‘s of important that older people get well-acquainted with the nutrition needs. This manner, they can avoid wrong foods and stay fit and healthy in the dusk of the lives.

Top 5 Nutrition Needs Of Elderly People
Basic Nutritional Needs for Older Adults or Elderly People :

The fundamental nutritional needs of older adults are much like that from the younger lot. They ought to possess a well-balanced diet comprising sufficient levels of healthy and nutritious foods. Generally, their diet plan should contain :

Carbohydrates (mainly from cereals, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, potatoes, etc )
Proteins (both non-veg and veg including egg, fish, meat, beans, pulses, etc. )
Fresh fruits and veggies (a minimum of five portions daily )
Aged people should stay away from oily foods, processed foods, excess salt, drinking, smoking, etc. Otherwise the standard functions of the internal organs could get affected, which could eventually have a toll on the health. 


Special Nutrition Needs Of Elderly People :


Aside from these basic requirements, elderly people also needs to incorporate numerous other specific nutrients with their daily diet. Allow us to check out those special nutritional needs for older people :

1. Vitamin D :

A lot of the elderly individuals are diagnosed with acute calcium deficiency, which happens to be the results of insufficient vitamin D inside the body. The vitamin, essentially produced inside the skin from exposure to sunlight, helps one‘s body absorb calcium more affectively. Basically, Vitamin D is necessary for maintaining bone health. So, proper sun exposure and adequate intake of vitamin D-rich foods, for example egg, fortified cereals, margarine, cod liver oil, salmon, tuna, etc. are needed to satisfy the daily requirement from the Vitamin along with to avoid significant bone loss. It‘s recommended to the elderly people to bring 10µg of vitamin D supplement every day.

Related Articles:
8 Types Of Vitamins Present In Mushrooms
Top 5 Fast Foods and their Nutrition Facts
What Are Omega 6 Fatty Acids And What Is Their Importance?
Top 20 Calcium Rich Fruits You Should Definitely Eat


2. Vitamin C : 

The natural healing capacity in our body goes down once we age. However, intake of sufficient level of vitamin C can combat the condition successfully. Studies have proven that it vitamin can promote the production of collagen in your body, and that is necessary for repairing tissues and curing wounds. Becoming an antioxidant, it will take care from the health in our blood vessels, connective tissues, and skin. Additionally it is known to avoid severe diseases like cancer, stroke, heart attack, etc. Elderly people should consume many fresh vegetables and fruit to satisfy their daily requirements of vitamin C along with top it up with supplements, if required.

3. Dietary Fiber :


Constipation, frequent bowel issues, and irritation are common as our body begins to decelerate. That‘s why elderly people got to include loads of fiber with their diet to do business with these problems efficiently. Some excellent causes of dietary fiber are whole grain bread, breakfast cereals, brown rice, brown pasta, porridge, pulses and legumes, fresh fruits, vegetables, etc. 

4. Fluid :

Older people should always keep themselves hydrated by consuming sufficient levels of fluids. Fluid is important to stay the regular functions of cells going and also a mature body doesn‘t have enough power to conserve it. So, they have to consume lots of water, fruit juices, hot beverages, etc.

5. Calcium :

As said before, calcium is vital to the upkeep of bone health in aged people. Insufficient this mineral can result in severe bone issues like fragility, fracture, osteoporosis, etc. So, it is necessary that their daily diet contains enough calcium-rich foods like milk, cheese, yogurt, along with other milk products, aside from leafy vegetables.

Aging is a thing we cannot prevent. But growing old doesn‘t mean exile ! Not will the elderly got to lead a lifetime of isolation and inactivity. Using the right type of food and nutrition, it‘s possible to lead the ideal and active life, no matter one’s age. So, don‘t enable your age slow you down. Continue living your daily life with a similar zest while you grow older—just ensure you are eating right to provide the body the ammunition it requires to remain fit !
Top 5 Nutrition Needs Of Elderly People - Hope this post was helpful ! Do share your views on nutritional needs for older adults inside the comments section.