Better nutrition for better health—a key benefit to seniors at retirement communities

Most of us need fewer calories to sustain us through the day as we get older, but the content of those calories is important. If we hope to remain active and healthy, we should maintain nutrient-rich diets in line with guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The USDA recommends that we strive for an approximate balance of vegetables (40 percent), grains (30 percent), protein (20 percent) and fruits (10 percent), as well as some dairy. Nutritionists suggest that seniors also choose fiber-rich foods, drink water and other low-sugar beverages, and use fortified foods or supplements to meet their needs for vitamin D and vitamin B₁₂.

Vitamin D is naturally found in salmon, canned tuna, dairy products, beef and egg yolks, while vitamin B₁₂ is in animal products, such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products.

The USDA adds these daily recommendations for seniors: 1 ½-2 servings of fresh fruit, 2-2 ½ cups of fresh vegetables, 1,200 mg of calcium, 6-7 ounces of grains and 65 grams of protein.

Adhering to the government’s guidelines for a balanced diet can help older men and women ward off various medical conditions, such as low immunity, decreased energy, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis. However, seniors should consult their physician before making any dietary changes.

In addition to the above recommendations, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises seniors to lower their salt intake, eat more whole grains and increase daily potassium intake.

Eating healthily in fellowship with others

Many seniors who live alone don’t eat nutritious meals on a regular basis. Food preparation can be difficult for those with physical limitations or cognitive challenges. In addition, preparing food for yourself and eating alone can be lonely and contribute to depression and anxiety.

Retired persons who reside at senior living communities have the benefit of receiving daily nutrition and enjoying meals in the company of their peers and newly discovered friends. The simple activity of eating becomes something to anticipate rather than dread.

At Country Meadows Retirement Communities, we take pleasure in serving our residents nutritious, fresh meals, and our comfortable, friendly setting further enhances their mealtime pleasure. A positive, healthy dining experience is our goal for all of our seniors, whether they live in our independent living communities and personal care and assisted living homes or receiving memory support or restorative care services.

If you’re thinking of choosing a retirement community, we hope you will place Country Meadows on your list of “must” visits, and we invite you to join us for a meal as well. We would love to give you a tour of our senior apartments at any of our senior living communities in Pennsylvania or Maryland. There you will find residents participating in a wide variety of retirement community social activities in a caring and family-oriented atmosphere. Please contact us for information or to schedule a tour so that we can acquaint you with our complete range of services.