Healthy Nutrition for Seniors: How to Eat Well As You Age

Maintaining a well-balanced diet is important for good health at any age, but as your body gets older it becomes even more imperative that you give it the vitamins and nutrients it needs. By eating the right foods and sticking to a healthy meal plan, you can live longer, keep your mind sharp, and improve your overall wellbeing.

The key to eating well is knowing your body's needs, and those needs vary depending upon your metabolism, how active your lifestyle is, and the foods that you like to eat. Though you may need to force yourself to try new things while exploring a new, healthier diet, keeping an open mind may allow you to discover a new favorite meal that you never knew you would enjoy.

First and foremost, maintaining a steady caloric intake is important. Eating too many calories can result in weight gain, which can lead to many health issues that you certainly do not want to develop. The amount of calories you should consume depends largely upon your weight, lifestyle, and health goals. To determine how many calories you should eat per day, speak with your doctor.

Once you know how many calories you need to eat, you must choose healthy foods to consume them. Seniors should increase their intake of fiber and calcium, so be sure to include as many fresh veggies and dairy products in your meal plan as possible. Remember that calcium can also be gained from eating non-dairy foods, such as tofu and almonds, so pay close attention to nutrition facts to ensure that you are getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals.

Additionally, you can also boost the amount of "good" fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6, that you consume. These fats can help reduce cholesterol levels and are present in some of the most delicious foods, including salmon and avocadoes.

Elderly individuals should also cut down on a few things, such as sodium and simple carbohydrates. Too much salt in your diet can lead to water retention and high blood pressure, while an excess amount of simple carbohydrates can cause an increase in blood sugar and weight gain.

Following a well-balanced diet is a wonderful way to enjoy your golden years. For more information about how to create a healthy diet, visit http://helpguide.org/life/senior_nutrition.htm.