Nutrition

Nutrition

The Importance of Nutrition

No matter your age, good nutrition is vital. It is all about making sure you have healthy, balanced diet so that your body is getting the nutrients it needs. In essence, nutrients are substances that our bodies need to function and grow, they include fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, minerals and water.

As you get older, healthy eating has huge benefits for your physical and mental health. It is vitally important that we maintain healthy and balanced lifestyles to ensure we are getting the right nutrients into our diets.

Why Is It Important?

Good nutrition can help to prevent some diseases, such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. It can also improve brain function, muscle and bone health and help to strengthen your immune system.

Eating the right foods not only keeps your body healthy, but also improves your emotional and mental health too. Fish and nuts packed with Omega-3 fatty acids may be able to improve focus, whilst also decreasing risk of Alzheimer’s disease. As well as this, green tea can enhance memory and mental alertness as you get older.

What Makes it Harder to Get the Right Nutrition as You Age?

Around 1 million people over 65 in the UK are undernourished or at risk of undernourishment. This means that a large portion of older people are not eating well enough to maintain their health.

The problem is that as you get older, some changes happen that can make it more difficult to eat healthier. For example, there may be changes in your ability to move around and make food for yourself, meaning easier pre-prepared meals that are often less nutritious become favourable. In addition, there may be changes in your sense of smell or taste or even your ability to chew or swallow your food.

How Can I Ensure I Get the Right Nutrition?

There are many things you can incorporate into your diet to ensure you are getting the right nutrition. You should ensure you are picking foods that are low in cholesterol and fat but do give you lots of nutrients.

These include:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Wholegrains, such as brown bread and rice
• Low fat or fat free milk and cheese
• Seafood
• Lean meats and poultry
• Eggs
• Beans, nuts, pulses, legumes and seeds

To find out more about how we can support you or your loved one with our care packages, contact us today.