Food Nutrition for Elderly: Go, Glow and Grow
As our service users advance in age, overall body strength and coordination reduces, therefore proper food intake is vital for them. At Expectation Care, our carers are trained on how to prepare for service users the most nutritious and balanced diet meals daily to make them healthier and stronger. The Go, Glow and Grow are the best food preparation pattern adopted in serving our service users their meals.
“Go” Foods
The “Go” foods contain fats and carbohydrates. These foods provide energy which makes them more active and gives them strength to exercise. Also, digestive problems are common in seniors and some older adults need help selecting foods that promote healthy digestion. Healthy natural carbohydrates such as wheat, oat, barley, wheat bread, brown rice contain fibre. The fibre from these carbohydrates helps prevent constipation that reduces the risk of some bowel disorders. Cereals for breakfast are a perfect way to start the day however most cereals are processed and can contribute to digestive issues, therefore one should opt for natural sources of carbs to prevent constipation.
“Glow”
The “Glow” foods are the ones loaded with vitamins and minerals that help maintain good eyesight and healthy skin. These foods maintain the good state of overall body health. A significant plethora of studies found that adequate plant food intake is associated with a reduced risk of heart diseases and cancer. Eating at least five or more servings of fruit and vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, brussel sprout, turnip, cauliflower, rutabaga, pak choi, arugula and fruits – blueberries, raspberries, red currant, grapes, blackberries, and cherries. However, dried fruits and juices are advised to be restricted to meal times because the high sugar content means that they will harm the teeth if they are taken between meals, also it could be difficult to chew for elderly people with teeth problems.
“Grow”
The “Grow” foods are high in protein and are responsible for bone and muscle health. Several studies have shown that an adequate intake of protein and calcium can lower bone fracture rates by maintaining good muscle mass and bone health, older people will also be less likely to sustain falling or serious injuries, maintain mobility and thus have a higher degree of independence. Calcium can be found in Cheese, Yogurt, Milk, Fortified Soymilk and Sardines. Lean beef, lean pork, chicken, fish and eggs (eggs should not be eaten more than three times weekly by those with high cholesterol). In addition, when age-related musculoskeletal system degradation occurs, protein along with other nutrients may play a significant role in slowing down this natural cycle associated with advancing age. However, the elderly diet frequently lacks protein for various reasons such as decreased age-related appetite and inability to tolerate certain foods which can result in a reduction in protein intake. This usually occurs in elderly who are lacking essential nutrients in their diet. Another aspect is when elderly are living on a tight budget and high protein foods are more expensive.
Lastly, fluid plays a vital role in enabling fibre to move through our body, we should drink six to eight glasses of fluid per day.
.
Aging poses a new set of challenges for the elderly which makes them require full time or part time assistance with meal preparation, exercise, medication administration in the form of live-in care or domiciliary care. Expectation Care is one of the best home care providers based in Milton Keynes with one of the highest ratings at homecare.co.uk. Our care plans are person-centred and we offer services to elderly, physically disabled, convalescent and end of life. Our carers are regularly provided with up to date training.