Food—it does a body good. And depending on the type of foods we choose to eat, it can also help our aging bodies even more!
During National Nutrition Month, our in-home care providers at Qualicare Tri-Cities want you to understand the foods that can really take you to the optimal health level.
Are you ready to get out your grocery list? You are going to want to write these down.
Nutrients Are Important
As we age, our bodies are in need of certain nutrients to help maintain good health and a positive quality of life.
Let's take a look at some ways healthy eating can improve our daily lives.
Make Sure You Have Omega-3s
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help people, especially the elderly, to prevent inflammation, which can lead to a number of conditions like:
- Heart disease
Omega-3 fatty acids have also been found helpful in the prevention of vision problems like macular degeneration that plague older people and lead to poor vision.
Great sources of omega-3 include:
- Canola oil
Make Sure You Get Your Calcium
We all have grown up knowing that milk does a body good. Well, now that we're older, it really does do a body good—getting enough calcium strengthens the bones and helps prevent falls due to brittle bones and osteoporosis.
In addition, calcium can help lower blood pressure.
Good sources of calcium include:
- Milk, soy or almond milk
- Leafy, green vegetables
- Cereals fortified with calcium
- Fortified orange juice
Pair your calcium with vitamin D, which allows your body to properly absorb the nutrient.
Make Sure You Have Fiber Daily
Many things change as we get older. Our brain doesn't work as fast as it used to, which means our reflexes are slower. The digestive system also slows down.
Because the walls of our gastrointestinal tract thicken as we age, it can cause constipation. Eating a diet filled with fiber can help you avoid that.
Great sources of fiber include:
- Whole-grain cereal, bread and pasta
- Brown rice and bread
Are you worried your loved one isn't getting the proper nutrition he or she needs while at home? Contact our in-home care providers at Qualicare Tri-Cities to learn how we can help!