Monday, 08 July 2019

Healthy Foods to Promote Healthy Weight Gain in the Elderly

According to statistics, over a quarter of elderly people over the age of 65 lose weight unintentionally. While this isn’t always a symptom of an underlying health condition, it is an issue that needs to be managed if their health and well-being is to be effectively maintained. Below, we provide helpful advice on some of the best foods to eat to promote healthy weight gain in the elderly, and why weight loss may occur in the first place. 

Why Do Elderly People Lose Weight?

There are many reasons why elderly people may lose weight as they age. One of the most common reasons is that their sense of taste and smell may decline, ultimately leading to an overall loss of appetite. They may also have more difficulty chewing and swallowing their food if they have started losing their teeth.

Chronic illness and certain medications can also be the culprits of weight loss. If you are concerned about an elderly loved one’s weight loss, it’s important that you speak to their doctor so that any major concerns can be ruled out.

High Calorie Foods to Include in Their Diet

Once you’re sure that the unintentional weight loss isn’t a result of an illness, you can turn your attention to helping your elderly loved one gain some of it back. The easiest way in which to do this, especially if you are providing elderly care at home, is to alter their diet. Include wholesome, healthy, high calorie foods as often as you can throughout the day, or recommend these meals to your elderly loved one’s live in companion.

Some of the best options include:

• Peanut butter: Peanut butter is not only high in calories and healthy fats, it is also really easy to eat. Spread some on soft bread and serve it as a yummy mid-morning snack. You can lightly toast the bread if your loved one can manage the texture and prefers it that way. There are also other nutritious nut butters to try if they aren’t keen on peanut butter. Almond butter and walnut butter are two tasty alternatives.
• Full cream dairy products: Steer clear of the low fat varieties and stock up on full cream dairy products like yoghurt and milk. These high calorie foods are also soft and easy to eat.
• Avocado: Avocado is hailed as a superfood and is chockfull of important nutrients and healthy fats and oils. Once again, it’s a soft food that an elderly person won’t have a problem eating, and it tastes incredible too!
• Starch: Carbohydrates are naturally high in calories, so be sure to serve up plenty of these. White and sweet potatoes are great choices, but you also can’t go wrong with whole-wheat pasta, quinoa and couscous.
• Coconut: Coconut is another popular superfood. You can utilise it to your advantage when cooking meals for your loved one by throwing in a tin of coconut milk or substituting olive oil/sunflower oil with unrefined coconut oil.

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