Developing healthy eating habits can help ensure continued good health for senior citizens. Disease prevention, increased energy levels and reduced health care costs are a few of the advantages of a healthy geriatric diet. According to the U.S. National Institute on Aging, people over 50 should follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Guide, which suggests a daily diet of lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Joint and Bone Health
Beginning in middle age, both men and women begin to develop thinner, more brittle bones. This thinning of bone tissue is called osteoporosis. Eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help ward off the possibility of developing osteoporosis. According to the University of Washington, a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet can also help people with arthritis pain. A healthy diet is especially important for people taking arthritis medication. Some medication, such as penicillamine, can reduce the absorption of nutrients.
Health Care Costs
Eating a healthy diet can help senior citizens avoid some chronic diseases and save on health care costs. In the United States, the number of people age 65 and over is expected to double between 2000 and 2030, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 1965, Medicare is the health insurance plan that has covered most Americans over age 65. But Medicare does not cover all expenses and with an aging population, cuts to the program may be inevitable. Senior citizens must pay out-of-pocket for any medical bills not paid by Medicare.
Disease Prevention
Chronic disease is not a natural inevitability. Still, over 61 million people in the U.S. suffer from heart disease or stroke according to the "2010 Rural Healthy People Project Report." The report suggests the risk for these diseases can be modified by eating a heart-healthy diet, low in fat and cholesterol. Adequate food is also important for seniors. In a 2003 article published in "Medicine," Dr. Stephen Hursing writes that "Calorie restriction is the most effective and reproducible intervention for increasing lifespan."
Depression
A healthy diet can help mitigate the feelings of depression seniors sometimes have. An illness, the loss of a loved one or close friend, or the inability to continue previous activities can all contribute to depression in senior citizens. According to the American Psychological Association, a diet rich in folate helps with these symptoms and also helps with dementia and mental impairment.
Active Lifestyle
Healthy eating habits can help keep a senior citizen energetic and vital throughout her lifetime. A diet filled with empty calories and nutritionally deficient foods can limit overall energy, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. Replacing these foods with nutrient-rich foods, such as whole grains and fruits, fights fatigue and boosts metabolism.
References
- National Institute on Aging: Healthy Eating After 50
- UW Medicine: Diet and Arthritis
- CDC: Public Health and Aging: Trends in Aging -- United States and Worldwide
- "Rural Healthy People 2010 Project, Volume 2"; L .Gamm, Ph.D. et al.; 2010
- "Medicine"; Calorie Restriction (CR) is the Most Effective and Reproducible Intervention for Increasing Lifespan in a Variety of Animal Species, Including Mammals; Stephen D. Hursing, Ph.D., M.P.H.; 2003
- American Psychological Association: Aging and Depression
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