Hydration, Nutrition, and Elderly: part 1

As we enter the hot summer season, I am always reminding seniors and families to remain hydrated. You’ve heard this before…drink plenty of water to avoid and prevent dehydration.

Along this same line of thinking, please find below some tips on nutritional habits for the elderly:

  • Reduce sodium (salt) intake. This will help prevent water retention and high blood pressure. At the supermarket, look for the “low sodium” label. Season meals with a few grains of sea salt instead of cooking with regular salt. Personally, I never use any table salt. There is enough sodium in foods we prepare — no need whatsoever to add more.
  • Consume plenty of fiber.  Lower the risk of chronic diseases, avoid constipation and feel fuller longer by increasing your intake of fiber. This includes raw fruits and veggies, whole-grains, and beans.
  • Cook healthy.   Prepare veggies by steaming or sautéing in olive oil, which preserves its nutrients, rather than boiling, which drains nutrients. Pretty simple preparation tip…just keep the veggies out of the water. Let them cook with the steam from the boiling water.
  • Go for five colors on your plate.  This may include fruits and veggies rich in color and nutrients like blackberries, melons, pineapple, yams, tomato, onions, eggplant and zucchini. Obviously, we can’t do this every night. But encourage fruits for some breakfast and lunch, and veggies for dinner.
    • JD Miller

    About JD Miller

    John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. Phone: (781) 378-2164 Email: [email protected] Website: https://homecarepartnersma.com
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