Healthy eating and nutrition for the elderly is greatly impacted by several factors, one of them being a change in body composition. During the later years in life, the body will lose bone and muscle and gain fat because the hormones aren’t very active anymore.

There are many factors which hinder an elderly person’s health. The information below will help you to lead a healthy life – no matter how old you may be.

Water – Water in the body decreases with age, so many older folks will become dehydrated very easily. Sometimes they won’t feel thirsty, while other times it’s too much work to pour a glass a water. With this in mind, it’s recommended that they drink at least 1 ounce of water for every 2.2 pounds of weight.

Protein – At this stage in life, protein is very important. Protein is needed to support a healthy immune system and prevent the wasting of muscle. Since energy needs are less, older folks should eat high quality protein such as eggs, lean meats, poulty, and fish.

Carbs and fiber – Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the entire body. You can find carbs in bread, cereals, pasta, and other grain products. A diet that’s high in fiber and water will help to prevent constipation as well.

Fat – Fat intake for the elderly should be limited, not eliminated. You can limit fat by choosing lean meats, low fat dairy products, and food preperation methods that don’t include frying.

Iron – For the elderly, iron deficiency can be seen with those who aren’t eating much. Good sources for iron include lean red meats or breakfast cereals.

Zinc – Zinc intake is normally with the elderly, and to make matters worse, it’s not absorbed very well either. Meat, poultry, and fish should be a part of your diet to help you meet the requirements for zinc.

Calcium – Calcium is one ingredient that most elderly folks simply aren’t getting enough of. Most believe that milk upsets their stomach, and therefore they will avoid it. They should be getting around 1,500 mg of calcium a day, and nonfat powdered milk can be used in recipes as a substitute for milk. Other foods such as yogurt, low fat cheese, and broccoli can also help you meet the requirements for calcium.

Vitamin B12 – In order to absorb the benefits of B12, the intrinsic facotr must be produced by the stomach. Most elderly people suffer from a deficiency in B12 because they have a condition known as atrophic gastritis. This condition causes inflammation of the stomach, bacterial overgrowth, and the intrinsic factor. Without the intrinsic factor, this vitamin can be absorbed.

Each one of the above nutrients are needed to keep an aged body in good health. Elderly individuals should try to stay active and strive for a well balanced diet. Even though the aged body isn’t the same as it used to be, proper care and the right nutrients can help the elderly enjoy a healthy and long life.

Keeping fit can be challenging for your body. So take a time out every once in awhile and give your taste buds a challenge instead, with some of these Fitness favorites.

Fit Fajitas:

1 egg yolk
6 egg whites
fat free cheddar cheese
fat free flour tortillas

Beat the whites and yolk and put in a skillet with fat free cooking spray. Then, cook the eggs over a medium flame. Turn eggs over and add some cheddar cheese. Meanwhile heat up the tortillas in the mike or oven. Then place eggs in the tortillas and roll up. Add salsa to taste.

Quick Breakfast

1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup uncooked dry oatmeal
1 packet of Splenda® (or more to tase)
Optional :cinnamon, fruit, nuts, raisins, etc.

Mix all ingredients together by hand, adding oatmeal last. Enjoy!

Timeout Tuna Burgers:

1 can of tuna in water drained
2 eggwhites
1/2 ounce of Buckwheat pancake mix
1 teaspoon of curry powder
1 teaspoon of chopped onions.

Place tuna in bowl. Add egg whites and pancake mix. Mix in other ingredients and then mix all with a fork. Grill with fat free cooking spray. Make 2 burgers.

Protein Power Pancakes:

1 cup oatmeal
11 egg whites
1 whole egg
1 packet sugar free jello, flavor of your choice.

Simply stir together in a mixing bowl, cook on a frying pan, using fat free cooking spray.

Protein Bars:

½ cup skim milk
1 cup of Natural Peanut Butter or Low Fat Peanut butter
1tbsp Honey
1.25-1.5 cups of protein powder (I use vanilla whey protein) (Chocolate is great too!)
2 cups dry, uncooked oatmeal

Directions:

Combine milk, peanut butter and honey in a pan and warm it up over low heat. Add the protein powder and then the oats to the mix. No need to thoroughly cook mixture, just heat it up enough to be able to stir it together. Add more milk if needed.

Shape into bars and press onto a 9″” x 13″” pan. Let them cool, and cut into 16 equal bars. Wrap each bar in foil or saran wrap and store in plastic baggies. No need to refrigerate, the ingredients are all natural. Makes 16.

Protein Shakes:

1 liter of milk
12 tablespoons of milk powder
6 eggwhites(fresh) or eggbeaters
1 teaspoon of brewer’s yeast
some hot chocolate to taste
optional banana or icecream scoop

Shake and enjoy!

BS (Banana & Strawberry) Protein Shakes:

1 glass of whole milk
1/2 glass of cream
3 eggs(fresh)
2 glasses of fat free milk powder
1/2 riped banana
1/2 cup of strawberries.

Shake and enjoy!

OJ (orange juice) Protein Shakes:

1/2 glass of natural orange juice
4 tablespoons of milk powder.
2 eggwhites(fresh)
1/2 cup of strawberries
1/2 cup of icecream
2 teaspoons of honey

Shake and enjoy!

Banana Power Drink:

2 bananas
1/2 cup of cottage cheese
vanilla whey protein
cup of milk
some Ice
1/2 a teaspoon of brown sugar.

Shake and enjoy!