When you reach a certain age, you can relax about many things that have bothered you in your life before. You don’t care about career, perfect physical shape, and social appreciation anymore. However, your health becomes more important than ever.
Even if now you aren’t obsessed with not gaining an extra pound or growing massive muscles anymore, that doesn’t mean you should just eat whatever you want. In elderly age, metabolism is much slower than before and you shouldn't overwhelm your body with unhealthy food if you want to live a long healthy life.
The basic principles of healthy diet stay the same - less frying and dough, less fast carbs and more protein. These are basic guidelines for every age group. But there are some other important things that should be considered in a diet for elderly people. If you have already reached the age of 60, you should know them.
What to Eat After 60
To live long and prosper, remember these principles of the proper diet. They won’t make your daily menu more boring but will be very useful for you.
Be careful with salt
The ability to perceive the taste of food changes over time. The perception of salty and bitter tastes isn’t as acute anymore, and there are high chances to oversalt your food. The excess of salt in your daily menu can lead to swelling, hypertonia and renal disease. This is why after 60 you should focus more on adding natural spices to your food to enrich its taste and avoid oversalting.
Cook your food properly
The older you are, the more problems you will have with teeth. Dental implants can solve this, despite the stereotype that they aren’t an option for elderly people. If it can’t be done for some reasons, cook yourself soft food. Baking meat and vegetables or making fruit smoothies can help you get all the needed nutrients that are important for your health.
Stay hydrated
The aging of the body causes weakening of thirst. This happens when you don’t consume enough water, and, as a result, it leads to dehydration. Dehydration is dangerous for the entire human body and particularly for digestion. Proper hydration can help you avoid constipation which is very common in elderly people. Therefore, you should drink water even if you don’t want to.
Be sure to consume enough calcium
The bones become more fragile with age. This results in increased risks of fractures. To avoid this, be sure you provide your body with enough calcium. But remember that most of adults can’t digest lactose. If you feel discomfort in your bowel after consuming dairy, choose non-dairy calcium sources or take it as a food supplement.
Eat more Omega-3
Healthy fatty acids that are contained in fish and avocado, are very important for the human body. They also reduce inflammation and pain. It’s better to boil or bake your fish to preserve more of its healthy elements. If you don’t like fish, you can take fish oil as a food supplement.
Any age is beautiful in its own way, despite what the youth cult in mass media tell us. If you take care of your health, you can have it all no matter how many candles are on your birthday cake.
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