Five Nutrition Tips for Common Senior Deficiencies

Malnutrition is common among seniors, and recently we asked our consultant dietitian at The Kenwood, Cindy Hargett, how to combat these common deficiencies such as lack of protein and micro-nutrients including Vitamins A, B, D, Folic Acid and more. Hargett shared the following nutrition tips for seniors to obtain the nutrition they need:

Five Nutrition Tips for Common Senior Deficiencies

Increase fruits and vegetables with smoothies.

A smoothie is easier to prep in advance, and doesn’t require chewing, which older adults typically don’t like to do as often.

Adapt regular recipes to be heart healthy.

Recipes such as beef stew or soup, which are normally high in sodium, can easily be altered to help seniors stay within the 2,000-3,000 mg of sodium per day goal.

Seek alternative protein sources.

Many associate protein with chicken breast, which can be difficult to chew. Seniors can still get their daily protein by looking to other sources such as:

  • peanut butter
  • yogurt
  • cottage cheese
  • beans
  • puddings
  • dairy products

Ask family members to prep meals in advance.

If possible, have family members prepare meals for the week, then freeze.

Get involved at a senior center.

At least once a week, go to your local senior center for their daily meal offerings. Seniors tend to eat a healthier amount of food when surrounded by social stimulants.

In addition, Hargett shares that if seniors live in a community such as The Kenwood, she encourages residents to utilize the dining room and eat with their peers. In general, people are more apt to eat a healthier portion of food when dining in a social environment.

Keep these nutrition tips in handy when you visit one of our dining options at The Kenwood.