Florida Home Care helps seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Healthy eating is the key to staying healthy. Seniors often do not eat foods that provide essential nutrients. Since seniors do not eat as much as younger adults, it is important for them to make sure what they do eat is healthy. The following list provides some tips for seniors on healthy eating.

1. Variety is the spice of life! Just because seniors do not require as many calories as younger adults, this does not mean they cannot mix up their daily diets. Having a variety of foods in a diet is a great way to get the proper nutrition while enjoying what is being eaten.

2. Fruits and vegetables are essential. It doesn’t matter if they are fresh, frozen or canned, but having daily servings of fruits and vegetables will provide the body with essential nutrients. Dark green and orange vegetables should be included in a diet.

3. Seniors require protein, so make sure a diet contains some beans, fish or peas.

4. Whole-grain products are very beneficial. Try to switch from white bread to whole-grain bread. Cereal, rice and pasta are also available in whole-grain.

5. When eating dairy, make sure it is low-fat. Seniors should keep an eye on their fat intake, so low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese should be incorporated into the diet. Make sure the products are fortified with Vitamin D as well.

6. When consuming foods with fat, try to choose foods that contain healthy fats. These include monosaturated and polysaturated fats.

Source: eatright.org

Image Via: webspin.org

Home Care Florida, Elder Care Florida, Senior Care Melbourne, FL, Home Care Fort Myers FL and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464..

Q1 – Fact or fiction; seniors are at a greater risk for cancer?
A1 – As we grow old, the risk of developing cancer does increase slightly. The aging process lowers stress tolerance, which can impact the functioning of major organ systems and seniors may have weaker immune systems which puts them at a higher risk for cancer than younger generations. Statistics indicate that the elderly are at a much greater risk for certain types of cancer than younger Americans.

Q2 – Are there specific times of cancer that are more prevalent in seniors?
A2 – The number one form of cancer that elderly women are at risk for is breast cancer. Statistics show that by age 80, 1 in 10 women are likely to be exposed to breast cancer; a great increase compared to 1 in 2,212 at age 30. For every decade of life, the risk of developing breast cancer increases in women. Studies have also shown that men with diabetes are more likely to develop rectal or colon cancer. Since the risk of contracting diabetes increases with age, especially in senior men who struggle with obesity, the risk of colorectal cancer also increases with age. Other types of cancer, like cervical cancer, are actually more prevalent in younger generations; however the risk does still exist for women and seniors over the age of 40, with an increased risk for those struggling with other health problems.

Q3 – Is there any way for seniors to determine if they have risk factors that could contribute to the development of cancer?
A3 – Family history and overall health both play a major role in preventing cancer. Older adults should be aware of their relatives’ history with cancer so a physician can setup appropriate screening. Seniors can reduce their risk factors with diet and exercise; maintaining a healthy weight and keeping their immune system strong. Seniors can reduce the likelihood of cancer with knowledge and healthy living.

Sources: http://www.imaginis.com/cervical-cancer/risk_factors.asp
http://seniorhealth.about.com/od/cancer/a/br_cancer_age.htm
http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=3701&channel_id=12&relation_id=30096
http://www.springerlink.com/content/l7630l71t816g513/

Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.