As seniors get older, it becomes more important to establish healthy eating habits. Many foods, especially when eaten in excess, can lead to unfortunate health consequences. The staff at Home Care Assistance in Waterloo wants to help your senior loved one stay healthy, so suggest he or she try to steer clear of these 5 foods.
1. Soda
Seniors should limit their intake of both sugar-sweetened and diet sodas. Drinking sugary soda has been linked to diabetes, and the artificial sweeteners in diet soft drinks can lead to brain inflammation. Studies have also shown these artificial sweeteners can increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
2. Fried Foods
Seniors with arthritis may want tostay away from fried foods such as bacon or onion rings, as the trans fats in the oil can cause joint inflammation, which can exacerbate anypreexisting conditions.
3. Salt
A high salt intake can raise blood pressure, which can lead to kidney disease, strokes, and heart attacks. While snack foods are an obvious culprit, excess salt is found in many foods, from processed meats to breakfast cereals. Check nutrition labels to make sure your loved one isn’t taking in too much salt.
4. Lunch Meats
While the occasional sausage probably won’t hurt, eating lunchmeat everyday could have severe consequences such as the development of colorectal cancer. For a healthier meat option, your loved one can exchange deli meats for leftover chicken breast or canned tuna.
5. Raw Foods
As your loved one ages, it may become more difficult for his or her body to fend off germs and bacteria. Some raw foods, like sprouts, broccoli, and alfalfa, are high in nutrients but can also be bacteria carriers. When seniors ingest these vegetables, they run the risk of getting sick.
Though your loved one may resist giving up some of his or her favorite foods, there are plenty of healthy and tasty foods to enjoy while reducing the risk of future complications. Finding the ideal diet for your loved one may be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. By choosing Home Care Assistance, a part-time caregiver in Waterloo can help him or her prepare healthy meals and even go grocery shopping to pick out the healthiest food choices. For more information on how our senior care services can help your loved one, call (519) 954-2111 to schedule a free in-home consultation.