As we age, proper nutrition becomes all the more important. Our bodies require more vitamins and minerals to keep our organs functioning properly as well as our bodies and minds feeling our absolute best. However, issues such as dehydration, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiencies are quite common in older adults. If you are a resident at the senior apartments near Salt Lake City, Utah, we have some advice on how to keep healthy and maintain the proper nutrition you need.
Keep reading to learn more!
Watch What You Eat
When the natural resources in our bodies become depleted over time, it is all the more pertinent to turn to proper nutrition. When this happens, vitamin supplements can be helpful, however, they cannot be a substitute for a healthy diet. In fact, supplements work better when paired with a quality diet.
Check out some of these healthy food options you can incorporate right away:
- Low-Fat Dairy: Reach for low-fat options such as milk and yogurt. If you are lactose intolerant, try oat or almond milk. For those who don’t like dairy, make sure you instead go for leafy greens or fruit juices and cereals that are fortified with the appropriate nutrients.
- Lean Protein: Beans, eggs, and nuts all contain high levels of protein. In order to retain strength, muscles rely on the fuel found from protein. Add these to your diet right away!
- Fiber: While bread is the go-to choice for this, grains can be high in carbs. Instead, go for fruits and vegetables that boast a high fiber content. These include apples, bananas, oranges, spinach, broccoli, and sweet corn.
Remember, if you are going to add vitamins or other supplements to your daily routine, be sure you talk to your doctor beforehand. Some supplements may affect medications, and it’s important to have that conversation prior to starting. Even if they are over the counter, it is still best practice to check.
Signs of Malnutrition
Unfortunately, for some seniors, malnutrition is a major cause for concern. Tasks such as grocery shopping and preparing meals can fall to the wayside as people get older. This can lead to malnutrition, and is responsible for bringing about medical and health issues such as brain imbalance, cognitive decline, decreased bone mass, as well as compromised immune system and heart health.
If you’re worried about your senior loved one, here are a few signs you should look out for as far as malnutrition:
- Ill-Fitting Clothes: This is usually one of the first, most noticeable signs. If your senior’s clothes are becoming way too tight or way too loose, it is a pretty clear indicator of either weight gain or weight loss.
- Frequent Illnesses: Does your senior seem to be catching a cold more often lately? What about other illnesses? When we don’t receive proper nutrition, our immune systems tend to be compromised.
- Low Food Stores: Keep an eye out on your senior’s pantry and refrigerator. How is their food supply? Is anything going untouched or going to waste? If so, that could mean that they aren’t eating what they should, a lot of food is just getting thrown out.
Balanced Meals
For some seniors, consistently preparing a balanced meal can be a challenge. Fears of falling or other safety concerns can affect one’s ability to prepare a meal in a kitchen. This can often resort to quick, instant meals that lack nutrition. When living alone or without a caregiver, meals and snacking tend to become more erratic.
However, if you make the move to the senior apartments near Salt Lake City, Utah, we are here to help! Our kitchen features a menu that is not only delicious, but packed with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. For example, lunch could be grilled salmon with a salsa verde, or a tasty sandwich from the a la carte menu. Our soup of the day could be chicken noodle or something a bit more complex, such as barbecue brisket soup.
One of the best things about moving to an assisted living facility is the food! And we here at Barton Creek do our best to live up to that. These are your golden years, after all – it’s time to enjoy yourself!
Drink More Water
Believe it or not, but drinking water has a big impact on nutrition, too! In addition to assisting our bodies with food breakdown, water can also help to dissolve vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from our food.
Not only that, but drinking water can prevent dehydration. Dehydration can be dangerous, especially in seniors, causing disorientation and mood change. Our bodies can also overheat and this can lead to constipation and kidney stones.
All in all, proper hydration and water intake assists our bodies with many tasks, and plays a key role in nutrition.
Take On a Healthy Lifestyle
Overall, the most important thing is to take on a healthy lifestyle. Not only does this include eating good foods, taking vitamins, and drinking plenty of water, but it includes getting proper fresh air and exercise, too.
One of the best ways to do this is to move to our senior apartments near Salt Lake City, Utah. As we talked about above, we feature a gourmet kitchen and a wide array of dining options. Not only that, but our staff is there to help you every step of the way and ensure the safety and health of all of our residents.
At Barton Creek, you can enjoy a multitude of activities, including group walks, Wii bowling, balloon volleyball, an exercise class, and so much more! Staying active will also inspire you to eat properly – after all, you need your strength up to keep participating in the hobbies you love and enjoy.
Contact Barton Creek
If you’re ready to make the move, please reach out to us! We would love to show you around your new home, giving you an opportunity to see our amenities and service up close and in person. Start the conversation about senior living today!
