Nutrition Essentials for Seniors

Helpful Highlights

• A heart-healthy diet is an appropriate baseline diet for everyone, especially older adults.

• Beyond a heart-healthy diet, there are several nutrients that are especially good for our aging loved ones.

• These nutrients promote long-term health maintenance in the priority areas that older adults need most.

So, what are the nutrients?

The lists of vitamins and minerals are not in any particular order. Also, note that these are not the only nutrients that older adults need. These are nutrients we should ensure that they get in adequate amounts, however, because they are more essential for health maintenance as we age and are often lacking.

VITAMINS

• B Vitamins

  • B6

  • B12

  • Folate/Folic Acid (B9)

• Vitamin D

• Antioxidants

  • Vitamin C

  • Vitamin E

MINERALS

• Calcium

• Potassium

• Magnesium

• Antioxidants

  • Beta-carotene

  • Selenium

OTHER NUTRIENTS

• Omega-3 Fats

• Fiber

• Protein

• Water

Where do they get these nutrients?

B6. Fish, beef liver, potatoes and other starchy vegetables, and fruit (other than citrus).

B12.* Meat, fish, poultry, milk, and fortified cereals.

Folate/Folic Acid.* Vegetables and fruit, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, and oranges, as well as nuts, beans, and peas.

Vitamin D.* Sunlight, fatty fish, fish liver oils, fortified milk and milk products, and fortified cereals.

Vitamin C. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, and potatoes.

Vitamin E. Nuts, vegetable oils, and green vegetables.

Calcium.* Milk and other dairy, some forms of tofu, dark green leafy vegetables, soybeans, canned sardines and salmon (packed with the bones), and calcium-fortified foods.

Potassium.* Fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy foods, as well as coffee, tea, and other non-alcoholic beverages. Foods highest in potassium include broccoli, lettuce, lima beans, prunes, sunflower seeds, bananas, canteloupe, dates, peanuts, potatoes, squash, watermelon, and red meat (steak).

Magnesium.* Green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, breakfast cereals, and other fortified foods, as well as tap, mineral, or bottled drinking water.

Beta-carotene. Yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables, and green leafy vegetables.

Selenium. Seafood, organ meats, and Brazil nuts are highest in selenium, though it is also in breads, cereals, poultry, red meat, and eggs.

Omega-3 Fats.* Fish (especially oily ones like macarel and sardines), nuts and seeds, some plant-based oils, and Omega-3-fortified foods.

Fiber.* Whole grains (wheat, oat), hardy fruits and vegetables (especially with skins intact), nuts and seeds, fiber-fortified foods, and fiber supplements.

Protein. Meats (preferably lean meats), eggs, tofu, and dairy products, as well as protein-fortified foods like powders, drinks, and bars.

Water. Tap, still, bottled, sparkling, and flavored water. (This does not include sports drinks or other electrolyte-fortified drinks.)

*These are also popular over-the-counter or prescription supplements. Be sure to discuss supplements with your loved one's provider before adding them to their diet.

Why are these nutrients so important?

Some of these vitamins help your loved one resist infections and keep their brain and nerves healthy, while others may help their body get energy from the foods they eat.

Minerals are elements that your loved one's body needs to function properly. They support functions like protecting and maintaining the heart, muscle, and nerve function, as well as other functions like managing blood sugar and regulating blood pressure.

Other nutrients like Omega-3 Fatty Acids support all the cells in the body in doing what they should.

Fiber ensures good gut health, which is an estimated 70% of our overall health and a priority care area in older adults.

Protein builds, repairs, and maintains muscles and bones, regulates hormones and enzymes, promotes healing, and serves as an energy source. Older adults often eat too little protein, especially adults ages 70 and older.

Water is crucial because it supports nearly everything! It helps regulate temperature, lubricates and cushions joints, protects the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues, flushes toxins and wastes from the body, supports organ health, is essential for digestive health, delivers oxygen throughout the body, facilitates the production of saliva, tears, and mucus, keeps skin soft and supple, and impacts blood pressure, airways, and weight.

Aqua est vida! (water is life)

Bottom line

Getting adequate nutrition can be a challenge for your aging loved one. With age, the number of calories they need begins to decline, so every calorie they consume must be packed with proper nutrition.