Every year, Elderly Filipino Week is celebrated to increase public awareness on the different issues concerning elderly Filipinos. This year’s theme is “Mahalaga sina Lolo at Lola sa Panahon ng Pandemya” which highlights the duty and responsibility of everyone in supporting elderly in recognizing their worth, dignity and human rights amid the pandemic.
Good nutrition is very essential in every age group especially in elderly. It provides energy and nutrient to keep their body healthy. It may also help them in preventing and managing some lifestyle related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer.
Here are some nutrition tips for elderly:
- Consume low caloric but nutrient dense food such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat -free or low-fat milk and cheese, lean meat, egg, poultry, fish, beans, nuts, and others.
- Avoid empty calories – food that are high caloric but low in nutrients, foods such as chips, candies, baked goods, alcoholic and sugary beverages.
- Cut foods that are high in cholesterol and fat. Choose foods that are low in bad cholesterol, saturated fat and transfat such as margarine, vegetable shortening and fried foods
- Limit eating in fast food restaurant since they often serve fried foods and foods that are deficient in important micronutrients.
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily to prevent dehydration and to help the body regulate effectively.
- Follow Pinggang Pinoy for elderly.
- Be physically active. A 15–30-minute exercise may help in improving immune system, bone and heart health and make the body become stronger.
Changes happen as a person age, and these usually results to challenges in eating and being healthy. Senior citizens are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill, thus, it is important to keep them healthy and strong by sticking to a well-balanced diet in combination with an active lifestyle. – FRANCES VEA VALDEZ
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