Nutrition and Physical Activity | Health & Senior Services (2024)

FAQs

What is nutrition in health and physical activities? ›

Without nutritious food, physical fitness cannot be achieved. Food is the fuel of our body. Food with high nutritional content boosts our stamina and helps us exercise better. It is scientifically proven that nutrition can help you enhance your physical health, athletic performance, and fitness.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important at all stages of life, but especially for seniors. According to the Institute on Aging, the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight after the age of 70 include increased mobility, lower chances of a heart attack or stroke, less inflammation and lower rates of depression.

healthy older adults

Eat well by including a variety of healthy foods from each of the four major food groups. 1 Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit. 2 Eat plenty of breads and cereals, preferably wholegrain. 3 Have milk and milk products in your diet, preferably reduced- or low-fat options.

Older adults' unique nutrition needs

Choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium. To get enough protein throughout the day and maintain muscle, try adding seafood, dairy, or fortified soy products along with beans, peas, and lentils to your meals.

Good nutrition can help enhance athletic performance. An active lifestyle and exercise routine, along with eating well, is the best way to stay healthy. Eating a good diet can help provide the energy you need to finish a race, or just enjoy a casual sport or activity.

Eating smart and being active have similar effects on our health. These include: Reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and some cancers and associated disabilities.

The MNA^® is a validated nutrition screening and assessment tool that can identify geriatric patients age 65 and above who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. The MNA^® was developed nearly 20 years ago and is the most well validated nutrition screening tool for the elderly.

Choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium. Get enough protein during your day to maintain muscle mass. Focus on the nutrients you need, including potassium, calcium, vitamin D, dietary fiber, and vitamin B12. With age, you may lose some of your sense of thirst.

Even though nutrition may be harder to maintain as you age, it may be even more important than when you were younger. “As you age, your body can have a harder time with certain functions, like maintaining your heart health, kidney function, bone regeneration and more,” Dr. Hall explains.

Which food is not recommended for senior citizens? ›

Raw or undercooked eggs, meat and poultry.

Undercooked foods such as eggs, meat, poultry and sushi can cause food poisoning, which can trigger sepsis and septic shock. Although anyone can develop infection and sepsis, seniors are at higher risk.

How Many Eggs Can Older People Eat? There is no limit to the number of eggs older people can eat, with the exception of those with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or any existing heart disease who can enjoy up to 7 eggs a week.

Add full fat plain yogurt to casseroles, soup, mashed potato etc. Add fruit yogurt to puddings, milkshakes, breakfast cereals etc. Add syrup, jam, chocolate sauce, double cream, evaporated milk or ice cream to puddings and desserts. Add cream, grated cheese or cream cheese to potatoes, soups, sauces and casseroles.

Physical health can be defined as the normal functioning of the body. Representing one dimension of total well-being, it's about how your body grows, feels and moves, how you care for it, and what you put into it.

Nutrition is a critical part of health and development. Better nutrition is related to improved infant, child and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth, lower risk of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and longevity.

Nutritional activities means the consumption, purchase or receipt of food.

Carbohydrates are the preferred source of energy for the working muscles during exercise. Good sources of carbohydrates include whole grains (whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, oatmeal, and brown rice), starchy vegetables (sweet potato, potato, corn, carrots) and fruits (banana, apple, strawberries)