Some of you might now know, I have a background in Senior Nutrition. After achieving my Bachelors in Nutrition, I knew my focus would be to spread health and wellness advice. My path after college led me to senior care, in a role that handled menu planning for therapeutic diets and daily nutrition counseling. I worked as a Dietary Supervisor in skilled nursing homes for almost 5 years. After my maternity leave with my daughter, Frankie, I chose to stay home and share nutrition advice with others through my homesteading platform. Brookdale Senior Living is equally passionate about serving seniors and their families in a unique intersection of wellness, healthcare, and hospitality– and I believe this makes all the difference in a resident’s life. You can visit their website here. 

For seniors, it is very important to maintain a healthy diet. Overall, this helps to minimize the chance of illness, support longevity, and boost energy levels. It’s well-known that as the body ages, health requirements like water and vitamin intake change, especially within some therapeutic diagnoses. According to research, many seniors have dehydration issues and vitamin deficiency. However, proper nutrition can help prevent and reduce the intensity of these health conditions. 

Unfortunately, implementing healthy diet changes is often easier said than done. Researchshows that depending on the diagnosis, loss of appetite, low mobility, and disease can all limit a senior’s ability to get nutritious food.

Some health tips for seniors: 

Strawberries: Strawberries have an extremely high number of antioxidants. Just eating one cup of strawberries provides you with omega-3 good fats, vitamin B6, & vitamin C. That is a lot of health packed into a bite-sized strawberry! These berries are also thought to help with blood sugar regulation and inflammation, aiding arthritis and bowel issues in seniors. 

Raspberries: Raspberries are delicious and very good for you, too! They help with obesity and speeding up the metabolism, and I learned in school that they help to keep your mind sharp. There have been studies done that show that raspberries keep tumors from growing while keeping blood pressure down. To me, that is a magical fruit for senior care and nutrition. 

Blackberries: Blackberries are messy, YES, but they pack a lot of dietary fiber, vitamin K, & vitamin C. Fiber is extremely important for senior care and was a main concern for so many of my residents, and not everyone liked to drink prune juice to help with that. Recent studies show that blackberries can regulate blood sugar, cut back on inflammation, help with your bowels and regulate digestion. They are the perfect fruit snack. 

It’s important to pay attention to the needs of the body. Eating enough of the nutrients we need can help to improve overall health. That’s why it’s important to help seniors incorporate fresh, healthy foods into their diets –– adding these fresh seasonal berries may help seniors maintain good physical health. Finding easy and fun ways to add fresh, healthy foods to the diet can make a world of difference for those struggling to get the nutrition they need.

www.brookdale.com 

*The above content is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you have a medical condition.  The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site.