Better Diabetes Management with Healthy Eating for Seniors

Diabetes happens to be a very common health issue prevalent in today’s world and more so in the elderly population. Approximately two-thirds of people suffering from this medical condition is constituted by seniors! Such patients are also likely to be suffering from other related ailments like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidemia (high blood lipid levels).

With aging, the degenerating body has additional nutritional needs for repairing tissues. Besides, older people are likely to suffer from age-related issues like low immunity, indigestion, fatigue and fragile bones and muscles. As a result, physical activity levels in elders decrease making them victims of various metabolic disorders. Hence healthy eating for the elderly becomes more important than consuming less food.

Formulating a diet plan for seniors can, therefore, be challenging, particularly for those with diabetes. Yet this certainly forms the crux of diabetes management. That is so because the main aim of the diabetes diet is to keep the blood sugar and body weight under the prescribed limits by

• Controlling the portion size of food consumed.

• Choosing to eat the right healthy foods.

• Following a consistent and disciplined mealtime approach.

Senior Nutrition Program

• The general breakdown of macronutrients for diabetic elders suggests the following proportion of nutrients

• 45-65% of the total calorie intake per day should come from high-fiber carbohydrates.

• 25-35% of daily calories can be derived from healthy unsaturated fats.

• Remaining calories can be fulfilled by proteins.

Note: This recommendation is to be used carefully considering other prevailing medical conditions.

• Glycemic Index(GI) is a factor that quantifies how quickly the food can increase the blood sugar levels. For healthy living and controlled sugar levels, it is recommended that diabetics eat low GI (GI<55) nutritious foods.

• Seniors with diabetics must limit or avoid intake of alcohol and packaged or canned foods with high fats, cholesterol, sugar and salt.

Recommended Super Foods for Diabetic Seniors

• Vegetables: Non-Starchy vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, beans, legumes, leafy greens and artichokes can be consumed in abundance. These vegetables are also rich in vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Tomato is another good choice for diabetics that also prevent the risk of cancer and heart diseases.

• Non-Fat Diary Foods: Skimmed milk and non-fat yogurt supply the essential Vitamin D and help in maintaining strong bones.

• Fruits: Blueberries and other berry fruits are endowed with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which help in maintaining a healthy heart and preventing cancer. Citrus fruits like oranges and grapes are also fiber-rich fruits.

• Proteins: Pulses, wild salmon, fish oil and some fish varieties like herrings and sardines are protein-rich foods that help maintain blood sugar and most of them contain Omega-3 fatty acid which prevents heart ailments. 

• Nuts and Seeds: Walnuts and flax seeds are healthy mineral-rich supplements that lower cholesterol levels.

• Whole Grains: Barley, lentils and other such whole grains help in metabolizing fats and keep the digestive tract healthy.

Assisted Living Dining services in Senior Care facilities offer a substantial variety of customized healthy menu plans for elders without compromising on the taste.

Key Steps to Healthy Eating Habits

• Eat meals at periodic intervals with consistent portions to avoid both hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

• Consume a balanced and nourishing diet that incorporates varieties with all food groups like grains, vegetables and fruits, meats and dairy products in adequate portions.

• Select more of dietary fiber-rich edibles including oatmeal, whole-wheat bread and dry beans.

• Adopt healthy cooking methods for preparing foods to reduce the intake of fats, sugars and salt.

• Use a personalized approach for meal planning based on individual nutritional needs and seek professional help on nutrition if required.

So balanced dietary management and lifestyle modifications can provide better blood sugar control in seniors thereby thwarting health complications!