The World Health Organization considers individuals aged 65 and over as elderly. The decrease in the ability to adapt to environmental conditions is also defined as old age. The elderly population has been increasing in Turkey in recent years. With advancing age, muscle mass decreases, fat tissue increases and body water percentage decreases.
Most elderly individuals continue to maintain the nutritional behaviors they were accustomed to in childhood. Allergies and intolerances increase with age.
Changes with Aging
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Loss of appetite occurs as the sense of taste and smell decreases.
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Saliva secretion decreases and dry mouth occurs.
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The emptying rate of the stomach slows down with age.
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Immune system functions decrease.
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Intestinal functions decrease.
Nutrition Recommendations in Old Age
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A program is created aiming to maintain the ideal weight in old age.
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Individuals may skip meals due to decreased appetite. It should be fed little by little and frequently, without skipping meals.
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In order to have an adequate and balanced diet, meals containing four food groups (meat group, dairy group, grains and vegetables and fruits) should be preferred at each meal.
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Unsaturated fats such as olive oil and fish oil should be preferred instead of saturated fats such as butter, margarine and lard.
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No food. It should not be fried in oil. Healthy cooking techniques such as oven, grill, steaming and boiling should be preferred.
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Salt consumption should be limited. Foods containing salt (pickles, pickles, tomato paste) should be avoided.
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Attention should be paid to fluid intake. At least 8-10 glasses of water should be consumed a day. In addition, herbal teas such as linden and freshly squeezed fruit juices can be preferred.
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Most elderly people may have chewing problems. In this case, hard foods that are difficult to chew should be avoided.
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Fibrous foods (legumes, vegetables-fruits and whole grain products) should be preferred to increase intestinal movements.
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