8 minute read
35 Top 10 myths about ageing and eating a healthy diet
By Christina Uppenkamp - Home Instead Senior Car
protects and fuels our bodies, and is key to ageing well. 3. Weight loss is healthy Throughout life we might believe that losing weight is healthy, but this is not the case when we get older. Instead, dieting and unintentional weight loss should be avoided in later years unless advised by a GP or dietician. 4. You should only eat when you feel like it The ageing process can affect the usual triggers that tell us if we are hungry or full. A loss of appetite is not normal and could be a symptom of an underlying health problem. 5. You need a low-fat diet Contrary to popular opinion, a low-fat diet is not always the best approach, especially for older people. Some fats are important as a source of calories and some older people may need to eat more to maintain a healthy weight. 6. Eat more vegetables As we age, physical changes to our bodies occur which can affect the way we think and feel about food. These changes can prevent us from having access to a healthy diet and can also make us believe we are less hungry, resulting in us eating less. As part of a campaign by Home Instead Senior Care Dartford, Stay Nourished, we dispel the top 10 myths about ageing and eating a healthy diet. 1. Your stomach reduces as you get older A common misconception about ageing is that your stomach gets smaller, and as a result, you need to eat less. Although appetite and capacity to eat may change, stomach size does not shrink. 2. You need to eat less when you get older People often wrongly believe that as energy requirements reduce, we need to reduce our food intake. This isn’t the case. Our metabolism may slow down when we age but eating good food is what
Nutrient-rich vegetables are essential in any diet, but should be eaten as part of a balanced diet including protein, carbohydrates and fluids. Protein is more important as we age as it protects our muscles, immune system, body organs and brain.
7. You only need to drink water when you’re thirsty If you feel thirsty, chances are it is your body telling you that you are low on hydration. Dehydration can cause confusion and hampers normal kidney function.
8. Meal supplements are sufficient Our bodies cannot live off meal supplements and vitamins alone. Some supplements can interact with medication and some just don’t work the way they claim to. Meal supplements also cut out the opportunity to enjoy food with other people, family and friends.
9. You must always eat 3 square meals a day Making sure you eat regularly is essential to remaining healthy and well but eating three satisfying meals a day can be a struggle if your appetite is affected. If three good sized meals are too much of a challenge, by eating five of six smaller meals or well-proportioned snacks.
10. Malnutrition is a symptom of getting older Malnutrition can affect anyone at any age and is not a normal aspect of the ageing process.
Malnutrition can occur in bodies of any size, large or small, but older people are particularly at risk. Don’t dismiss the warning signs of malnutrition as being par for the course. For more information about Home Instead and how we can help you or your loved one live a healthy, happy life at home, get in touch with us by calling 01322923750 or via our website www.homeinstead.co.uk/dartford.
Full-time, experienced, qualified yoga teacher, teaching practical yoga andmeditation classes in the local community and now online.
When government advice allows, the regular schedule of in person group classes in Hextable, Swanley, Sidcup and Bexleyheath will resume. For now, all group classes are being held online.
I am fully insured, hold the Triyoga Teaching Diploma, a British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) accredited diploma, the Triyoga specialist certificate in Restorative Yoga, Triyoga certificate of advanced teacher training, a certificate in teaching yoga to people with disabilities, and Accessible Yoga. Registered Exercise Instructor (REPS), Level 3, Yoga Alliance Professionals Senior Yoga Teacher, British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course Tutor. The style of yoga I teach is alignment-based yoga, an embodied and practical approach to yoga, breath work and meditation, accessible for all ages and abilities. You don’t need to be flexible to start! My classes are friendly, everybody is welcome, so come and see how it feels to tune in and connect yourself and feel better. Please visit my website www.crestyoga.com for more information or email me at clair.crestyoga@gmail.com.
Full-time, expe ienced, qualified yoga teache , teaching p actical yoga andmeditation classes in the local community and now online.
BOW ARROW GARDENING & LANDSCAPING. Gardening and Landscaping service in the Dartford, South East London, North Kent, Essex area.
- Garden Design. - Garden Clearance. - Garden maintenance :all aspects. - Hedge/shrub pruning. - Deweed paths and flower beds - Lawn Maintenance and cutting.
Free quotations Contact- Andy Davidson. Mobile 07815 118887 Email – andy_davidson_1@ yahoo.co.uk
A Friendly, reliable and quality service. Bespoke quotations on request.
Hawley Garden Centre Hawley road Dartford Kent DA2 7RB Tel: 01322 723959 E-Mail: enquiries@hmqualityfoods.co.uk Web: www.hmqualityfoods.co.uk
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DEALING WITH DEBT AFTER THE LOCKDOWN
This year has been a challenging one to say the least, and we’re only halfway through it!
Everyone has been affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the consequent lockdown, but the ways in which we’ve been affected individually may be very different.
If you previously had debt that you were managing well, it may be that a change in circumstances means this has now become a problem. You may no longer be able to make your regular repayments. However, there are helpful steps you can take to deal with it.
How to deal with problem debt - Make a budget detailing your current income and expenditure (both essential and non-essential). There’s a great budget planner on moneyadviceservice.org.uk which you could use to help with this. - Check what help or benefits you may be eligible to claim at turn2us. org.uk. - Look at what’s left over in your budget. If you have more going out than coming in, where could you realistically cut back to free up some money? This might mean switching to a cheaper energy tariff or cancelling unused subscriptions.
- If your budget is too tight, make a list of all the companies/people you owe money to. - Contact each one, explain the situation and ask about any payment holiday schemes they offer. - If you need extra support, take the step to seek professional advice from a debt advice charity such as Christians Against Poverty – see capuk.org for more information. How paying down debt saves money .
Alternatively, the lockdown may have seen you save on costs such as travel, eating lunch out, childcare and school trips. If this is the case, it may be possible to save what you would have normally spent and use it to pay down debt.
If you have savings at the moment, it’s likely the interest you earn on them is almost nothing, so all you’re doing is keeping the money in the bank and not actually getting anything for it. However, interest will continue to be added to any debts you owe every month, which means that having the debt could be costing you money right now. the interest, if you’re able to. There’s lots of information on how to do this at moneysavingexpert.com.
Remember to keep a savings buffer for emergencies and unexpected costs.
Other ways to save money during (and after) the lockdown
You may find that you have more time to save for annual expenses such as your vehicle MOT. The DVLA has given an extension of up to six months for vehicles with an MOT expiring after 30 March – see gov. uk/dvla for more details.
If your vehicle is parked on the road, legally you need to keep it taxed and insured. If you have a garage or driveway available, you could declare your vehicle off the road with a Statutory Off-Road Notice (SORN). This means you won’t have to pay for the road tax. See gov.uk/ make-a-sorn for more information.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity which, through local churches, delivers debt counselling, money management, job clubs, life skills groups, and support for people breaking habitual dependencies. Visit capuk.org to find out more.
