Aging is an inevitable natural process that brings with it great changes in our physiology and body composition. These changes that are unavoidable are also compounded by other factors such as our lifestyle, socio-economic situation, medical conditions, and environmental factors. Diet is probably the single most important influencing factor, and all of the other mentioned circumstances do have some bearing on diet.
An elderly person should be encouraged to eat foods that are highly nutritious while steered away from empty calorie snacks. Fresh fruits and tasty salads are good foods to encourage an elderly person to eat their daily meals. Under normal circumstances with the amount of junk foods and processed foods that most of us normally eat, our caloric intake is usually higher than necessary. This is normally problematic, but more so in old age because of a reduced caloric requirement. This may be a small decrease, but the effects of excess calorie intake at this stage are also a lot more severe. Ideally an elderly person should be encouraged to have smaller and more frequent meals with highly nutritious and low calorie foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. This is the most important food group for the simple reason that it has the highest nutritional value and is a source of much needed dietary fiber and vitamins and minerals. Digestive ailments and eating disorders that set in with age can easily be averted with a healthy consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin and mineral supplements are no substitute for a deficient diet, and its best to derive these nutrients from fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are in fact touted as the natural anti aging solution because of their richness in antioxidant minerals and vitamins that help minimize the damage from free radicals. Whole breads and whole cereals are also an important food group, as are fish and meats. In the context of meats and fish however it should be pointed out that the requirement is very low and they should be consumed in moderation. Meats here would refer to lean meats. Fish are however extremely healthy. Vegetarians may substitute meats with pulses and other foods, but would still need some multivitamin or more specific nutritional supplements to avoid any deficiencies. Milk and dairy products are the last food group that also needs to be included.
This should make it quite obvious that the key to a healthy diet for an elderly person would be to eat a varied and wholesome diet, and to always exercise moderation. The healthy diet is not very different for an old or young person, but the consequences of deficiencies and excesses can be a lot more severe.
Kevin Pederson, authors web content for http://www.diethealthclub.com a complete online resource featuring diet, health and fitness. This article is focused on helping you plan for new year resolutions for healthy diet plans
