Nutrition & Hydration

Healthy Eating & Older Adults

Diet and exercise are the cornerstones of a healthy life.

Benefits

• Participating in regular exercise and adhering to a healthy diet can have a noticeable impact in general well-being
• Increased mental acuteness and higher energy
• Resistance to illness/disease
• Keeps muscles, bones, and organs strong
• Improved management of chronic health conditions

Diabetes

A disease in which the body's ability to produce or respond to insulin is impaired.

Controlling sugar and carb intake is very important for diabetes patients.

Meal & snack ideas

• Oatmeal with berries
• Apple and peanut butter
• Sandwich made with low-carb bread
• Baked chicken and vegetables

Low Sodium Diets

A low-salt diet helps control high blood pressure and swelling, as well as decreasing breathing difficulties for people who have heart failure.

Meal & snack ideas

• Turkey meatloaf or turkey tacos
• Scrambled or fried eggs
• Roasted vegetables
• Apple and low-sodium peanut butter

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is carried through the blood in molecules called lipoproteins.

Meal & snack ideas

• Baked chicken & vegetables
• Whole wheat pasta with red sauce
• Low-fat yogurt with granola and berries
• Egg white omelet

Hydration

Dehydration is a common and very serious condition for older adults.

Facts

• Dehydration is a major cause of hospitalization in seniors
• Can lead to kidney stones, blood clots, passing out, rapid weak pulse, low blood pressure, and even death
• Many medications can cause someone to become more dehydrated

Tips to Stay Hydrated

• Many sources of fluids
  • Water, tea, fruit juice, sweetened beverages, fruits & vegetables
• Keep water easily accessible
  • Put water in a pitcher next to where they sit frequently
• Experiment with temperatures
  • Determine if your Client prefers cold or room temperature water, try warming up juices or icing down tea, add soda water to make it bubbly and fun
• Try a savory drink
  • Warm up some broth or make an herbal tea (iced or hot)
• Make popsicles
  • Make a popsicle with fruit juice diluted with water. Even freeze cubes of their favorite beverage
• Smoothies/milkshakes/ensure
  • Make a milkshake in their favorite flavor. Smoothies can be both savory or sweet.

Give Healthy Options

• Bento boxes aren't just for kids! They're an easy way to put an assortment of healthy foods in front of people so they can feel like they have a choice in what they eat

• This is fun AND functional: you can cut up food to be bite-sized and cute. You could even use cute toothpicks or utensils
• Clients can eat just a few bites and you can store in the containers for them to go back when they want more
• Remember: it doesn't have to be a fancy bento box! You can use a plastic container with compartments or just create a pretty plate with food options!