Growing old comes with its shortcomings such as less sharp senses (touch, taste, vision, smell, and hearing) decline in memory, activeness and a change in appetite. Senior adults are also at a greater risk of catching illnesses because the immune system is not as strong as that in young adults. Therefore it’s imperative that older people consume a healthy diet, stay active and are looked after by other means such as private health insurance for seniors.
As you age, eating habits change too. But there’s one thing will never change, and that is the importance of eating healthy. You may already know foods you should include in a healthy diet, but do you know what you should avoid? What is good for a teenager to consume may not be the same for a senior adult to consume. In this article we will look at some food items that seniors should avoid to live a healthy life.
#1. Alcoholic Beverages
We all know the potential risks of consuming too much alcohol, but an occasional drink is harmless. However, if you have diabetes or an illness that requires the avoidance of alcohol, then it’s best you should.
#2. Caffeine
Caffeine, found in tea, coffee, chocolate, and some medications, results in insomnia and high anxiety levels. If you are looking for a good night’s sleep than it is best to avoid caffeine.
#3. Foods Rich in Sodium
If you suffer from hypertension, foods rich in salt need to be avoided at all costs. Opt for natural herbs and spices if you wish to add some zest to your meal.
#4. Grapefruit
Grapefruit has the potential to intensify the effect of certain drugs that treat anxiety, insomnia, hypertension, etc. Therefore it is not a wise choice to consume grapefruit if you take such medications. Try other fruits like apples, bananas, pears, etc. instead.
#5. Undercooked Meat
Underdone meat, i.e. sushi, oysters, sausage, etc. can cause food poisoning due to the presence of bugs such as salmonella, campylobacter and E.coli. Older people are at greater risk of getting sepsis as well. Therefore they should always consume meat that properly cooked.
#6. Unpasteurized Milk and Soft Cheeses
Milk consumed by seniors should always be pasteurized or UHT (ultra-heat treated), which is sometimes called long-life milk. Soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, Danish blue, gorgonzola, and Roquefort should be avoided because they are less acidic than hard cheeses and prove to be an ideal medium for food-poisoning bugs, particularly listeria, to grow in. However, soft cheeses can be consumed when cooked because the heat kills the bacteria.
Conclusion
We all know the foods we should eat; it’s practically taught to us in schools when we are growing up. But, what about food items we should not consume? Especially those that can harm us at a certain age? Food items that may be healthy for young people such as grapefruit, soft cheeses, milk, etc. should not be consumed by people of senior age. Therefore it is important to be cognizant of food items that are not only good for our health but detrimental as well (esp. according to our age) so we can remain healthy and active.
