The sense of smell also decreases, which impacts attitudes toward food. Sensory issues may also affect digestion, because the taste and smell of food stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes in the mouth, stomach, and pancreas.

Some older adults have difficulty getting adequate nutrition because of the disorder dysphagia , which impairs the ability to swallow. Stroke, which can damage the parts of the brain that control swallowing, is a common cause of dysphagia. Dysphagia is also associated with advanced dementia because of overall brain function impairment.

To assist older adults suffering from dysphagia, it can be helpful to alter food consistency. For example, solid foods can be pureed, ground, or chopped to allow more successful and safe swallowing.

This decreases the risk of aspiration , which occurs when food flows into the respiratory tract and can result in pneumonia.

Typically, speech therapists, physicians, and dietitians work together to determine the appropriate diet for dysphagia patients.

Similar to other life stages, obesity is a concern for the elderly. Adults over age 60 are more likely to be obese than young or middle-aged adults.

Reduced muscle mass and physical activity mean that older adults need fewer calories per day to maintain a normal weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk for potentially fatal conditions that can afflict older adults, particularly cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Obesity is also a contributing factor for a number of other conditions, including arthritis. For older adults who are overweight or obese, dietary changes to promote weight loss should be combined with an exercise program to protect muscle mass.

This is because dieting reduces muscle as well as fat, which can exacerbate the loss of muscle mass due to aging. Although weight loss among the elderly can be beneficial, it is best to be cautious and consult with a healthcare professional before beginning a weight loss program.

In addition to concerns about obesity among senior citizens, being underweight can be a major problem. A condition known as the anorexia of aging is characterized by poor food intake, which results in dangerous weight loss.

This major health problem among the elderly leads to a higher risk for immune deficiency, frequent falls, muscle loss, and cognitive deficits. It is important for health care providers to examine the causes for anorexia of aging, which can vary from one individual to another.

Understanding why some elderly people eat less as they age can help healthcare professionals assess the risk factors associated with this condition.

Decreased intake may be due to disability or the lack of a motivation to eat. Also, many older adults skip at least one meal each day.

As a result, some elderly people are unable to meet even reduced energy needs. Nutrition interventions for anorexia of aging should focus primarily on a healthy diet.

Remedies can include increasing the frequency and variety of meals and adding healthy, high-calorie foods such as nuts, potatoes, whole-grain pasta, and avocados to the diet. The use of flavor enhancements with meals and oral nutrition supplements between meals may help to improve caloric intake.

After a plan is in place, patients should be weighed on a weekly basis until they show improvement. Many older people suffer from vision loss and other vision problems. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Americans over age sixty. Self-feeding also may be difficult if an elderly person cannot see their food clearly.

Friends and family members can help older adults with shopping and cooking. Food-assistance programs for older adults such as Meals on Wheels can also be helpful.

Diet may also help to prevent macular degeneration. Consuming colorful fruits and vegetables increases the intake of lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that provide protection for the eyes.

Bad habits and poor nutrition have an accrual effect. To calculate how much protein per day you should eat, divide your weight in pounds by 2. For example, at a weight of pounds, or 80 kilograms, your recommended daily intake RDI for protein is about 64 grams daily.

Nutritious sources of protein include meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, legumes and dairy products. The USDA suggests older adults opt for seafood, beans, peas and lentils over foods like red meat, which may help reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease.

Fats should make up 20 to 35 percent of the calories in an older person's diet, with less than 10 percent coming from saturated fats which are found in foods like meat and dairy products. The USDA recommends that older adults opt for polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat from products like olive oil and other vegetable oils , nuts and nut butters , salmon and other fatty fish and avocados.

Adequate calcium and vitamin D support bone health and may help lower the risk of fractures as people age, according to the USDA. Adults between age 50 and 71 should get IUs of vitamin D per day, and adults over age 71 should get at least IU.

All adults over 50 should aim to take in 1, milligrams of calcium per day. You can add more calcium and vitamin D to your diet by eating green leafy vegetables and yogurt or by drinking milk, fruit juice and other products fortified with vitamin D.

Older adults don't always get enough vitamin B12 in their diets, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This is particularly true for those who take acid-reducing or diabetes medications like Prilosec and Metformin, respectively , which reduce the ability to absorb vitamin B12, according to the National Institute of Health NIH.

If you do take these medications, talk to your doctor to make sure you're getting enough of the nutrient. In general, though, older adults should aim to get 2. Foods high in vitamin B12 include animal products like clams and Alaskan king crab, as well as vegan options like tofu and fortified cereals.

Getting the right amount of minerals like potassium and sodium is important for long-term health. Adults AMAB over 51 should aim for 3, milligrams per day of potassium, while people AFAB over 51 should aim for 2, milligrams per day, according to the NIH.

Get more potassium with fresh fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products. Having the proper sodium and potassium balance is linked with a lower risk for high blood pressure , kidney stones and bone loss, according to the NIH.

Your brain and heart are about 73 percent water, your lungs are about 83 percent and even your bones are 32 percent water — so H2O is obviously essential to survival.

At all ages and stages of life, your body depends on water, so it should come as no surprise that hydration is key to staying healthy and feeling good.

In addition to helping the body build new cells, eliminate waste, keep joints lubricated and much more, water is an important part of a system that keeps fluids and electrolytes balanced.

Electrolytes are minerals in the body that carry an electric charge, and they help regulate nerve and muscle function, hydrate the body, balance blood pressure and acidity and rebuild damaged tissue, according to the National Library of Medicine.

What's more, as you age, the amount of total water in your body decreases, as does your ability to sense thirst, which means dehydration can come on quickly. If you suspect that you're dehydrated, try frequently drinking small amounts of water.

If your symptoms don't improve, call your doctor or go to the hospital, as severe dehydration can lead to seizure, kidney failure, coma and even death, the same study notes. The basal metabolic rate decreases over time as well. In this post, we will discuss the calorie needs for seniors over the age of A calorie is a measurement unit that represents how much energy your body expends while it digests food.

How many calories do you need to consume each day if you are over the age of 50 and want to maintain your present weight? The Dietary Guidelines recommend:. Traditionally, adults over the age of 70 see a decline in appetite when their activity level and basal metabolic rate diminish.

This presents dietary issues since they require the same vitamins and minerals as younger individuals, as well as extra nutrients such as protein and vitamin D. Follow an anti-aging diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, fish, healthy fats, and fiber-rich foods to stay healthy and disease-free.

As older adults who have difficulty swallowing or chewing may avoid fresh high-fiber meals, nutritionists have updated daily dietary guidelines to include stew, vegetables, and canned fruits without added salt or sugar. Green smoothies, which are a blended mixture of greens and fruit, are another simple method to increase your consumption of fresh produce that may be simpler to digest and swallow.

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