Food is such an important part of our lives, so much more than just sustenance. Entire events are planned around food. But have you noticed how your loved one’s eating habits have changed over the years? What they were able to eat during a stressful study session at college is no longer a possibility. With age, our metabolism changes, our body shape changes, and our body’s needs change.
Most seniors know what foods are important for their health, like nuts, olive oil, grains, legumes, fresh vegetables, and fruit. But are they aware of the foods that they should avoid eating? Here’s a list of foods that should be crossed off the shopping list permanently.
Processed Foods
Processed foods, especially meats, should be avoided. These include deli meats, sausage, salami, and pastrami. They have a high sodium content, which is bad for the heart. They also contain nitrites, which studies have linked to various types of cancers.
Sugary Cereals
Cereals are convenient, but you have to be careful about which ones you buy. Some cereals are laden with sugar and have little to offer in the way of nutrition. Cereals that contain high fiber and protein and little to no sugar are a better option.
Processed Junk Food
It may seem like a good idea to have a packet of potato chips with your dinner, but the long shelf-life for these items indicates that they contain various chemicals that aren’t good for the body. They’re also empty calories, meaning there is zero nutritional value. If you feel like having a snack, opt for a piece of fruit, some vegetable sticks with hummus, or a baked potato instead.
Margarine & Butter
Margarine was launched as the healthy alternative to butter, but as it turns out, neither of them is good for you. They can both lead to high cholesterol. Switch to olive oil for cooking and vegetable spreads for bread.
Expensive Coffee
Plain black coffee has certain health benefits, but specialty drinks loaded with sugar, whipped cream, and syrups, negate those benefits. They are expensive and bad for the teeth and the blood sugar. They can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and even liver failure.
Sugar-free Drinks
Sugar-free drinks may be lower in calories, but the artificial sweeteners are not good for your health either. They can lead to weight gain and several other health problems. If you crave sugar, make yourself a healthy fruit smoothie at home or have a piece of dark chocolate.
Take Care of Senior Diets with Visiting Angels
There are certain things that we should all cut out of our diet, especially for those who are over 50 years of age. Foods with empty calories, a high sugar content, processed foods, and desserts and drinks with artificial sweeteners should be avoided. At Visiting Angels we ensure that while providing senior home care, companion care, personal care, and respite care, the health and wellbeing of our patients is our priority. Give us a call today!