Bananas are good for the elderly because they may relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, brighten the mood, and enhance restful sleep. In addition, bananas are typically well-tolerated by seniors who may not have an appetite if they're living with emotional health issues.
Seniors should eat plenty of citrus fruits to obtain enough vitamin C in their day. Vitamin C is known to produce antibodies, which boost immunity and help older adults fight off infections. Some examples of vitamin C rich foods are oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, bell peppers, tangerines, grapefruit, and strawberries.
05/6Bananas should not be consumed on an empty stomach
This is because of the high amount of sugar that gives you instant energy - it can also make you feel drained after a few hours. And bananas are acidic in nature, this can lead to bowel problems if consumed on an empty stomach.
What foods should the elderly avoid? Your elderly loved one should eliminate excessive consumption of salt, sugar and saturated trans fats. Stay away from highly processed foods, sugary carbonated drinks and fast food. As for the specific products they should avoid, it is mainly foods that can cause food poisoning.
Popcorn, oatmeal, sweet potato, and jasmine rice are great examples of whole grains which help aid in digestion, metabolism, and of course, sleep. Oatmeal is one of the best bedtime snack foods because it includes an abundance of sleep-inducing nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.
Older adults' unique nutrition needs
Choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium. To get enough protein throughout the day and maintain muscle, try adding seafood, dairy, or fortified soy products along with beans, peas, and lentils to your meals.
Sleep and Aging
Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as all adults—7 to 9 hours each night.
Eating bananas before breakfast or as part of a balanced meal may help promote satiety and aid digestive health. Bananas contain several important micronutrients, including potassium and vitamin C.
Eating too many bananas may have detrimental health effects, such as weight gain, poor blood sugar control, and nutrient deficiencies.
Bananas are one of the best fruit sources of vitamin B6. It helps the body to produce red blood cells, metabolize carbohydrates and fats, metabolize amino acids, remove unwanted chemicals from your liver and kidneys, and maintain a healthy nervous system.
Experts generally recommend that older adults consume at least 1.7 liters of fluid per 24 hours. This corresponds to 57.5 fluid ounces, or 7.1 cups.
Sweet potatoes are a great source of potassium. Potassium helps seniors maintain normal blood pressure, heart function, and fluid and electrolyte levels in the cells, which is why sweet potatoes are especially beneficial for those who aren't physically active and cannot strengthen their hearts on their own.
Whether you're 7 or 77, drinking milk at any age is important for good health. Milk is a good source of vitamin D and calcium, which older adults tend to need more of, to maintain bone strength, preserve muscle strength, and prevent osteoporosis.
A lower metabolic rate and less physical activity mean seniors need fewer calories. Changes to sense of smell and taste can make food less tasty. We lose taste buds as we get older. Dental problems or gastrointestinal changes, such as lactose intolerance, can accompany aging and make eating uncomfortable.
We recommend planning to eat dinner at about four to five hours after lunch. Keep in mind, if your dinner time fall in between the 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. timeframe, you are going to be reaching the last hour of your body's heightened metabolic rate.
Fruits and vegetables. Whole grains. Low-fat dairy products like yogurt and cheese. Skinless poultry.
It's important to eat regularly, at least three times a day. You might not always feel like cooking so you could increase your intake of tinned, chilled and frozen ready-prepared meals. Always make sure you heat chilled and frozen food until it's steaming hot all the way through.
Peanut butter provides beneficial fats, magnesium, and proteins that offer seniors a sustained energy supply throughout the day. Peanut butter is also high in vitamin E and B6, which are beneficial for brain health and antioxidants, which may help prevent blood clots and vascular damage.