What are the most dangerous foods for seniors?

aadmin — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 04:58:51 +0000

Healthy eating is at the core of a well-balanced lifestyle, and the importance of eating well doesn’t become less important with advanced age; rather, it can become more central to one’s health.

And while healthy eating is an admirable goal, it is not always easy, especially when budget and food preparation abilities are taken into account.

But eating nutritious food is only half the battle; the other half is avoiding unhealthy food, and knowing the difference can be tricky.
Cindy Cordon, dietary team leader at the Los Angeles Jewish Home’s Grancell Village campus, told RetirementHomes.com there are a few major guidelines seniors can abide by which will help keep unhealthy foods away.

“Avoid processed foods, as well as packaged items,” Cordon said. “These foods typically are high in sodium, which improves shelf life, but they’re usually full of salt, MSG, and nitrates.”

According to Cordon, some of the most common prepared foods found in cafeterias include ravioli and canned spaghetti, but these foods, which are pre-heated, have already lost many of their enzymes and fiber.

Steve Barlam, chief professional officer of LivHOME, a home care agency with branches across the United States, told RetirementHomes.com his experience has showed him there is one common food, popular among seniors, which can be problematic for this age group: bagels and smoked salmon.

According to Barlam, smoked salmon contains two major health risks, particularly for seniors: salt/sodium, and germs.

“Salt can deplete valuable calcium, key to preventing osteoporosis, and aggravate health issues common among seniors such as hypertension, heart disease, kidney disorders, dehydration and swelling,” Barlam said.

He said smoked salmon, as a raw food, is more likely to house germs, and while many adults won’t be harmed by small presence of germs, seniors, with a more precarious immune system, should avoid raw and smoked foods as a result.

Gailla Deiters, a certified colon therapist based in Hawaii, added that cheese and red meats should not be regular components of seniors’ diets.

“We all love cheese. Yet cheese is a slow processor in the colon and can cause constipation,” Deiters said. “This is also true of red meat such as beef, pork and lamb,” she said.

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Health and Wellness

The 7 best foods for seniors

aadmin — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:01:44 +0000

Nearly half of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions, but less than eight per cent actually follow through on their pledges, the Journal of Clinical Psychology reported last year.

And although New Year’s Day already passed, it’s never too late to set personal goals, and one great way to start 2013 is by eating healthier.

Courtesy of AARP.com, here are seven of the best foods for people over the age of 50:

1/ Apples- These fruits can help to reduce cholesterol, so remember the old adage, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away.’

2/ Asparagus- Featuring the carotene lycopene, these vegetables can work to reduce the chances of contracting prostate cancer.

3/ Blueberries- Packed with Vitamins C and K, pick up a few of these berries the next time you’re at the grocery store.

4/ Broccoli- Full of fiber, this green vegetable can help boost your immune system.

5/ Butternut squash- If you want to keep your eyes strong, take advantage of the beta-carotene in butternut squash.

6/ Dark chocolate- To help protect your heart, enjoy a piece of dark chocolate for the antioxidants it provides.

7/ Coffee- Both regular and decaf, coffee can help prevent heart attacks.

Eating healthy can be convenient if you live in an assisted living community, but if you live alone and buy your own groceries, make sure to add these items to your next list.