Calcium is a good example. Your need for calcium for strong bones and teeth will increase, so extra serves of low fat milk, yoghurt and cheese are important.
Options like blue cheese, Camembert, and Brie are made from unpasteurized milk, so seniors with weak immune systems run the risk of getting dangerous infections. However, seniors don't have to avoid all kinds of cheese. Hard cheeses like cheddar and Swiss are perfectly safe.
Due to the variety of nutrients found in eggs, they are an ideal food to include in the diets of older adults. They are also economical, easily prepared and soft in texture which makes them appropriate for people of this age group.
Older adults' unique nutrition needs
Choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium. To get enough protein throughout the day and maintain muscle, try adding seafood, dairy, or fortified soy products along with beans, peas, and lentils to your meals.
Soft cheeses
It is important to note, however, that cheese offers a good dietary source of Vitamin D and seniors can get all the health benefits of cheese by eating varieties like cheddar, Monterey jack, and Swiss rather than soft varieties.
Full of calcium and protein, cottage cheese makes a great snack for seniors in the morning, noon, or night. But because cottage cheese has a high content of casein protein, it makes a particularly smart choice as an evening snack.
Bananas are good for the elderly because they may relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, brighten the mood, and enhance restful sleep. In addition, bananas are typically well-tolerated by seniors who may not have an appetite if they're living with emotional health issues.
Seniors should eat plenty of citrus fruits to obtain enough vitamin C in their day. Vitamin C is known to produce antibodies, which boost immunity and help older adults fight off infections. Some examples of vitamin C rich foods are oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, bell peppers, tangerines, grapefruit, and strawberries.
Whether you're 7 or 77, drinking milk at any age is important for good health. Milk is a good source of vitamin D and calcium, which older adults tend to need more of, to maintain bone strength, preserve muscle strength, and prevent osteoporosis.
Dairy's also a great source of vitamin D -- it's essential for healthy bones. Many people don't get enough of it, and with age, it gets harder for your body to make vitamin D just by being out in the sunshine. Stick to low-fat or nonfat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Sleep and Aging
Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as all adults—7 to 9 hours each night. But, older people tend to go to sleep earlier and get up earlier than they did when they were younger. There are many reasons why older people may not get enough sleep at night.
What foods should the elderly avoid? Your elderly loved one should eliminate excessive consumption of salt, sugar and saturated trans fats. Stay away from highly processed foods, sugary carbonated drinks and fast food. As for the specific products they should avoid, it is mainly foods that can cause food poisoning.
Foods with Fructan
Fructan can be found in bananas, onions, garlic, chicory root, wheat, leeks, asparagus, artichokes, garlic, some beverages, some ice creams and many processed foods, especially high-fiber foods.
The important part is that the salt, once it's added, cures the cheese, drying it out a bit more and making it still more impervious to spoilage bacteria. Certain cheeses, like Chevre or Ricotta are made, salted, and then immediately sold.
The best snacks for people with Alzheimer's are lean protein snacks, vegetables, low-dairy snacks, fruits, and whole-grain snacks. Try to reduce high saturated fats and cholesterol. Of course, some healthy fat is necessary for a good diet.
Offer vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein foods. Limit foods with high saturated fat and cholesterol. Some fat is essential for health — but not all fats are equal. Go light on fats that are bad for heart health, such as butter, solid shortening, lard and fatty cuts of meats.