Nutritional Needs After 60

Friday, October 7, 2011, 10:36

Nutritional needs after 60?, well, every body be it before or after 60 requires good nutrition but today we are stressing on the people who have turned or crossed 60 years because that is the time where people suffer from disorders and health problems. Women in their 50s have their menopause and due to which many suffer from osteoporosis or weakness in bones. Even aged men are prone to back problems, heart ailments and that is why we would want to give a clear cut picture as to what to consume after 60 yrs. Today we will talk about the type of food and their supplements. Take a look.

Nutritional Needs After 60 - Food Types

1. At 60, the body changes and the needs change but the basics don't. Nutritious food and balanced diet is same for all ages. Having carbohydrate rich cereal, brown rice, potatoes.
a. Protein rich eggs, lean meat, fish and pulses.
b. Fruits and Vegetables.
c. Cutting down on fats, alcohol, salt, sugar intake is the basics of all diet plan.

2. Fibre - As the body gets older, the digestion process gets slower so eating fiber rich food will support digestion thus keeping the system healthy. Food such as green leafy vegetables, wholegrain cereal, sprouts can balance the digestion process.

3. Vitamins - As we grow older, the calcium levels in the body (that help in strengthening bones) gradually come down so eating/drinking calcium rich food will maintain healthy bones. Exposing to sunlight will absorb vitamin D that can supply calcium. Also drinking a glass of milk, yogurt, cheese, fish oil, eggs will provide the lacking calcium and vitamin levels to the body preventing after 60 disorders like Osteoporosis etc.

4. Iron - As older men and women suffer more from blood related ailments like anemia and platelet deficiency, it is important to eat those vegetables and fruits which are the rich sources of Iron. Red meat, fish and leafy vegetables have good amounts of iron that can improve the red blood corpuscles.

5. Folate - Even folate is a part of the nutritional needs after 60. It is important as it helps in generating new cells, essential component for the metabolism of homocysteine, and helps in maintaining levels of amino acids.

All these nutritional needs are a must after 60 as it not only but being healthy but about feeling healthy!.