The Rogersville Review: Senior Review • April 3, 2021 • 13
www.rogersvillereview.com
SENIOR LIVING | FOOD
Good Nutrition Matters I
t’s important to watch what you eat and to maintain a healthy diet. This can be very crucial as you age because poor nutrition can have a great impact on your everyday health and life. © ADOBE STOCK
STEPS TO GOOD NUTRITION The first step to a healthy diet is to know what nutrients to look for. NCOA says your plate should like a IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION READ THE WARNING SIGNS rainbow. Bright, colored foods are The National Council on Aging You won’t feel the effects of poor the best choice. Your plates should says poor nutrition increases your nutrition overnight. Sometimes, it include all of the following: risk for serious health problems. will take a while to see that you are • Lean protein (lean meats, seaWhen you are sick, your body getting the proper nutrients your food, eggs and beans). needs extra nutrition to heal. If body needs. As you get older, the • Fruits and Vegetables (orange, you don’t eat right, your body will signs may become more troubling red, green and purple). have to get the nutrition from for you than in a younger adult or • Whole grains ( brown rice, somewhere breaking down nutrichild. Talk to your health care pro- whole wheat ents in your muscles to use as fuel. vider if you show any of the warn- pasta). The NCOA says malnutrition ing signs provided by NCOA. • Low-fat effects your body by: • Eating poorly. dairy (milk • Making it harder to recover • If chewing and swallowing and its alterfrom surgery and illness. becomes difficult. natives). • Make it more difficult to heal • Taking multiple medicines to Choose wounds. feel normal. foods that are • Increase risk for infection and • Unplanned weight loss high in fiber The National Council on aging shares advice and tips on a healthy life and healthy nutrition.
risks for falls. • Decrease strength needed to take care of yourself.
and low in sodium or salt. Vitamins such as vitamin D are important as you age. Making sure you eat the right items will help you lead a safe and healthy lifestyle and can prolong the effects of aging.
© METRO PHOTO
