Nutrition for the Golden Years

Wait… there’s now a long list of health concerns to be considered, including malnutrition?

Although malnutrition is a concern at any age, it is a bigger concern for the aging population as it increases the risk of falls, pressure injuries, increased hospital admissions, and a decline in general quality of life. All of these increased risks go against the idea that this time of life is ‘Golden’.

Malnutrition occurs when we don’t consume enough energy (calories/kilojoules) and/or protein for our body’s needs. It can happen to anyone regardless of body size, age, or activity level. Malnutrition commonly occurs when food intake is less than usual or our nutritional needs increase. Certain conditions such as cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and liver disease, as well as conditions that cause nausea or make it difficult to eat or swallow, put people at a higher risk of malnutrition.

What can you do to prevent malnutrition?

If you have a poor appetite:

• Consume small, regular meals
• Prioritise eating protein first at meals. This includes meat, fish, eggs, beans or legumes, and dairy
• Include protein-rich snacks throughout the day such as boiled eggs, a tin of tuna, cheese and crackers, or yoghurt
• Consume nourishing drinks (e.g. Sustagen, Up and Go, or a fruit smoothie) when unable to eat full meals
• Bump up the calories in meals by adding extra virgin olive oil to vegetables, or adding cream and cheese to mashed potato

The use of premade meals is a great option for seniors! Some healthy options include:

• Lite n Easy “My Choice” range
• Youfoodz (online fresh meal delivery)
• Frozen meals (e.g McCains, Super Nature Superfoods, Lean cuisine, or Coles/Woolworths fresh meals)
• Melting Moments meals (local to Bundaberg)