Your digestive system may be the first to react to what you eat. For example, particular meals may require more stomach acid to digest. However, other body parts respond to your food choices as well. Your kidneys may work harder if you eat too much sodium. A diet high in saturated fats can cause plaque buildup in your arteries.
Furthermore, all the cells in your body rely on nutrients to do their jobs, whether it’s the neurons in your brain or the cells that lubricate your joints. Just like a finely tuned machine, better nutrition means better response. Nutritionists use the terms macro and micro to define the substances we eat and drink.
Macronutrients are the large players in the food world, and the body breaks them down for energy and other uses. You frequently hear them referred to as:
By contrast, our foods contain only tiny amounts of micronutrients. These substances are vital to a healthy body as well, helping our cells perform their specialized functions. Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals you see on food labels.
The end goal of a healthy diet is to provide your body with all the macronutrients and micronutrients it needs to work properly. Lacking in one area or having too much of a harmful or even useless substance can cause or aggravate health conditions. This principle is even more important for senior adults who have a lifetime of eating habits behind them and a higher risk factor for certain medical issues.
Although chronic and acute diseases can appear for various reasons, affecting young and old, some disorders occur more frequently in seniors. These age-related diseases may not be avoidable, depending on your genetics and other factors. However, they can often be managed successfully with lifestyle changes and treatments.
The risk of Type 2 diabetes increases as you age, even more so if you're overweight and inactive. Individuals with Type 2 diabetes have difficulty controlling blood sugar levels due to the body’s misuse or underuse of insulin. A healthy eating plan, which includes switching to water, coffee and tea instead of sugary drinks and colas, can help decrease your risk for this condition.
Another widespread health issue in older adults is coronary artery disease (CAD). Plaque or fat deposits build up on the walls of the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. While age is a factor you can’t control, you can modify eating habits by avoiding high-fat and processed foods.
Inflammation of the joints (arthritis) can cause swelling, pain and stiffness. While arthritis is more common among senior adults, it’s not inevitable. You can reduce inflammation within the body by choosing whole foods — fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish and beans. Stick with whole grains instead of processed flour and white bread.
High blood pressure is behind various health conditions, from heart disease to strokes and kidney damage. Risk factors for the condition increase with age, weight and poor diet choices. Reducing sodium in your diet and decreasing alcohol use can help manage high blood pressure. Switch to low-fat options for proteins and dairy products.
You may have noticed that the above eating recommendations are similar for each condition, prioritizing fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain carbohydrates and reducing fat and sugar. Many eating plans follow this regime, from the Mediterranean Diet to DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).
The team members at Bethesda Gardens Thornton deliver nutritious meals daily, along with an assortment of always-available options. Occasional treat days let you enjoy a favorite snack in moderate portions while keeping most of your food intake nutritious. If you go out to one of Thornton, Colorado’s many restaurants, choose menu options that showcase vegetables and lean proteins.
Finding an eating style that fits your likes and dislikes and benefits your health means plugging in more healthy favorites and reducing unhealthy habits. It also includes discovering new tastes and welcoming old favorites in a healthier version.
Follow these suggestions to make positive dietary changes.
A healthy eating plan should provide all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. However, if you dislike certain foods or have a specific health issue, talk to your doctor about supplements. They can recommend the type and amount of product you should use. It’s best not to self-medicate with supplements, as some can interfere with prescription medications you may already be taking.
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Bethesda Gardens Thornton
Formerly Park Regency Thornton
12610 Hudson St.
Thornton, CO 80241
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