Transcript Make Mealtime Pleasant - Food and Health Communications

Diet Facts for Seniors
There is never a better time to start!
Changes Take Place As We Age
Calorie needs
decrease
Vitamin and
mineral needs
stay the same
or increase
Senses of
smell, taste and
touch gradually
decline with age
Medication can
have an effect
on appetite
Chewing
problems may
occur
Slowdown of
digestive tract
Bright-colored
vegetables such
as carrots and
broccoli.
Deep-colored
fruit such as
berries and
peaches.
Whole,
enriched and
fortified grains
and cereals
such as brown
rice and 100%
whole wheat
bread.
Grains are
1/4th of the
plate.
Dry beans and
nuts, fish,
poultry, lean
meat and eggs.
Low- and nonfat dairy
products such
as yogurt and
low-lactose
milk.
Calorie Needs Decrease
• Keep calories low by:
– High fiber
– High moisture
– Low fat
– Low sugar
Calorie Needs Decrease
• Eat plenty of:
– Fruits
– Vegetables
– Whole grains
– Lean protein
– Lowfat/nonfat dairy
– Legumes
Vitamin and Mineral Needs
Increase
• Supplements:
– Calcium
– Vitamin D
– Vitamin B12
Vitamin and Mineral Needs
Increase
• Plenty of nutrient-rich foods:
– Fruits
– Vegetables
– Whole grains
– Lean protein
– Lowfat/nonfat dairy
– Legumes
Vitamin and Mineral Needs
Increase
• Limit foods that are low in nutrients but
high in calories:
– Candy
– Pastries
– Fried foods
– Large desserts
Senses of Smell, Taste and Touch
Gradually Decline With Age
• Perk up flavors with
herbs and spices
• Offer variety of texture –
crunchy and creamy, e.g.:
yogurt topped with highfiber cereal
• Make sure food is correct
temperature
• Offer a variety of hot and
cold foods
Medication Can Have an Effect
on Appetite
• Check with physician or
pharmacist regarding side
effects
• Make meal time pleasant
• Use color, music and
atmosphere to boost
appetite
• Social interaction helps
too
Make Mealtime Pleasant
• Create attractive and
appealing food:
– Cook vegetables properly
– Use a little oil to make
foods shiny
– Make sure that you have
a variety of color on the
plate
Make Mealtime Pleasant
• Create attractive and
appealing food:
– Arrange foods neatly and
attractively
– Use chopped herbs or other
seasonings to make foods
look more fancy
– Keep sauces thin and
lump-free so they look
appetizing
Make Mealtime Pleasant
• Contrast is important - Offer a
variety of hot and cold, crunchy
and smooth:
– Top lowfat yogurt with
crunchy cereal
– Sprinkle Grape-Nuts® on
green salad
– Offer raisin toast or English
muffins with raisins
– Hot and spicy tacos go well
with cold fruit salad
Make Mealtime Pleasant
• Contrast is important - Offer a
variety of hot and cold, crunchy
and smooth:
– Baked sweet potatoes
topped with pecans
– Halibut with wild rice salad
– Hot entrees with cool
desserts – sorbet/fruit
Slowdown of Digestive Tract
• Increase activity level and encourage
exercise to keep things moving
• Make sure fiber intake is adequate
• Offer plenty of liquids
Fluids Are Important
• Thirst not always good indicator of thirst
• Be careful in hot weather
• Food and beverages with
high water content help
a lot:
– lettuce,
– vegetable juice
– soups
Easy Ways to Add More Fiber
• Look for whole grain foods
that are easy to eat including
oatmeal, brown rice and whole
grain pasta.
• Serve a variety of fruits and
vegetables each day. Canned
and frozen products are easy to
prepare - look for varieties with
little added fat, sugar or salt.
Easy Ways to Add More Fiber
• Blend cooked beans or potatoes
into soups to thicken them and give
them a creamy consistency.
• Make a fruit smoothie and include
oat bran, fruits and skim milk for a
royal, fiber- boosting treat.
• Leave the skin on potatoes and
fruits like apples and pears.
Chewing Problems May Occur
• Eggs are soft and a good source of protein
• Chop meats like chicken and turkey so they
are easier to chew
• Serve soft-cooked cereals and grains
• Bananas are soft and make a fast snack or
dessert
• Soft-cooked vegetables and canned fruits help
increase servings of these important foods
• Milk, cheese, yogurt, pudding and milk shakes
are great calcium sources
Patient May Not Be Able to Use Utensils
• Offer finger foods for breakfast:
– Small muffins
– Cubes of banana nut bread
– Dollar-sized pancakes
– Hard-cooked eggs
– French toast sticks
– Cut up bits of cereal bars
– Cut up fruit – make sure it is soft
Patient May Not Be Able to Use Utensils
• Offer finger foods for lunch:
– Baked chicken nuggets
– Cheese/meat roll ups
– Oven-baked French fries
– Bite-size sandwiches
– Soft bars or fruit-filled cookies
– Apple-Cheese wedges
– Filled graham crackers
Patient May Not Be Able to Use Utensils
• Offer finger foods for dinner:
– Meat loaf
– Fish cakes
– Turkey cubes
– Zucchini bites
– Cheese quesadillas
– Lasagna roll ups
– Stuffed shells
Ways to Add Calories
• If patient is having trouble maintaining
weight you can increase calories and
protein
– Brown sugar: Add to hot cereal or baked
winter squash
– Butter or margarine: Add to soup,
mashed potatoes, baked potatoes or hot
cereal. Stir into gravies and sauces.
Spread onto bread. Add to eggs, cooked
in any style
– Coffee creamers (powdered or liquid):
Add to gravy, soup, milk shakes and hot
cereal.
More Ways to Add Calories
• Cream cheese: Spread onto hot bread
or hot rolls and allow to melt
• Table cream: Use in soups, sauces,
egg dishes, batters, puddings and
custards. Put on hot or cold cereal. Add
to mashed potatoes. Use instead of milk
or water when cooking
• Honey: Add to cereal and to milk
beverages. Add to yogurt and serve as a
dessert. Drizzle over toast, rolls, bread
or crackers. Use as a sweetener in
coffee or tea
• Ice cream: Blend with fruit or milk for a
shake
More Ways to Add Calories
• Mayonnaise: Combine with ground
meat, fish or chopped egg in a
sandwich.
• Cheese: Grate and add to breads,
casseroles, mashed potatoes and
sauces. Melt on eggs, fish and meat.
Add cottage or ricotta to casseroles
and egg dishes such as quiche,
scrambled eggs and soufflés.
• Sauces or gravies: Be generous
with the amount you pour over
noodles, potatoes and meats.
“The secret of staying young is
to live honestly, eat slowly,
and lie about your age.”
-- Lucille Ball