Page 105 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 105
NUTRITION AS WE GET OLDER HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Eating for the Time of Your Life!
by Irene Ní Fhlannúra, Nutritional Therapist
As we get older, our nutritional needs change depending on age, activity levels, health status and the
use of certain medications. Nutrition is an important determinant of health at any time in our lives,
but the older population face additional challenges to meet their nutritional needs. The risk of
dietary deficiencies increase as we get older as a result of difficulties accessing and preparing
nourishing meals, changes to our sense of taste, smell and appetite as well as hindered absorption of
vitamins and minerals due to ageing and certain prescription drugs.
Studies have shown that up to management of many of today are carving out a lifetime
16% of older people living in age-related health problems as of diet-related illnesses with their
the community are nutritionally well as providing energy and own knives and forks. Decades of
deficient in both calories and sustenance to maintain a healthy, fast food and fast talk has eroded
protein. However, if mineral and active and independent life. our connection with Nature, the
vitamin deficiencies are included A BLAST FROM THE PAST only source of true nourishment
in this estimate, malnutrition in There is so much noise about and replaced it dead, processed
persons over 65 years may be as what to eat and what not to foods, which have neither life
high as 35%. The prevalence eat nowadays that it is not nor season. Thankfully, there is
of malnutrition of older patients uncommon to feel confused about a shift towards healthier eating
in hospitals and long-term care food choices. Anyone over the lately that has seen a return to
facilities is even higher. These age of 50 knows instinctively the kitchen with an emphasis on
are alarming statistics considering what real food is all about. It is fresh, seasonal and local produce.
that nutrition plays a leading the kind of fare you were reared For the younger population, it
role in disease prevention and on. Plain, simple ingredients – has been met with the same
outcome, cognitive function and identifiable, seasonal and most enthusiasm as most other trends
has the ability to minimize many likely picked, killed or caught just of our times, but for the older folk,
of the negative aspects of the down the road! Despite immense it must offer some relief that food,
natural ageing process. The food changes in both food production in its true sense of the word, has
choices we make every day hold and supply over the years, children made a welcome return to the
the key to preventing and the table. Staying healthy as an older
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 105
Eating for the Time of Your Life!
by Irene Ní Fhlannúra, Nutritional Therapist
As we get older, our nutritional needs change depending on age, activity levels, health status and the
use of certain medications. Nutrition is an important determinant of health at any time in our lives,
but the older population face additional challenges to meet their nutritional needs. The risk of
dietary deficiencies increase as we get older as a result of difficulties accessing and preparing
nourishing meals, changes to our sense of taste, smell and appetite as well as hindered absorption of
vitamins and minerals due to ageing and certain prescription drugs.
Studies have shown that up to management of many of today are carving out a lifetime
16% of older people living in age-related health problems as of diet-related illnesses with their
the community are nutritionally well as providing energy and own knives and forks. Decades of
deficient in both calories and sustenance to maintain a healthy, fast food and fast talk has eroded
protein. However, if mineral and active and independent life. our connection with Nature, the
vitamin deficiencies are included A BLAST FROM THE PAST only source of true nourishment
in this estimate, malnutrition in There is so much noise about and replaced it dead, processed
persons over 65 years may be as what to eat and what not to foods, which have neither life
high as 35%. The prevalence eat nowadays that it is not nor season. Thankfully, there is
of malnutrition of older patients uncommon to feel confused about a shift towards healthier eating
in hospitals and long-term care food choices. Anyone over the lately that has seen a return to
facilities is even higher. These age of 50 knows instinctively the kitchen with an emphasis on
are alarming statistics considering what real food is all about. It is fresh, seasonal and local produce.
that nutrition plays a leading the kind of fare you were reared For the younger population, it
role in disease prevention and on. Plain, simple ingredients – has been met with the same
outcome, cognitive function and identifiable, seasonal and most enthusiasm as most other trends
has the ability to minimize many likely picked, killed or caught just of our times, but for the older folk,
of the negative aspects of the down the road! Despite immense it must offer some relief that food,
natural ageing process. The food changes in both food production in its true sense of the word, has
choices we make every day hold and supply over the years, children made a welcome return to the
the key to preventing and the table. Staying healthy as an older
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 105
