Twin City Underwriters

Nutrition Tips for Older Adults

January 26, 2022 | Todd Lewison

Eating a healthy diet can be tough at any age, but it’s often especially difficult for seniors. There are many reasons for this. Appetites fluctuate, nutritional needs change, and chronic disease or medication affects how or what you eat. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the different nutrition needs of older adults, and to proactively adopt strategies that will keep your diet as healthy as possible.

We’re sharing a few tips from the Harvard Health blog to get you started. If you have any questions, we encourage you to reach out to your doctor or health care provider for help.

Nutrition Tips for Seniors

  • Fill Your Plate with Quality: Try to fill half of your plate with vegetables, one quarter with whole grains, and the other quarter with lean protein.
  • Adjust Portions: If you’re trying to either gain or lose weight, adjust your portion sizes rather than adding unhealthy foods or removing entire food groups.
  • Choose Healthy Fats: Foods like olive oil, peanut butter, nuts, avocado, and fatty fish are good options for concentrated, healthy calories.
  • Front-Load Your Eating: Many older adults have a larger appetite in the morning and during the earlier part of the day. If that’s the case for you, try to eat a healthy and nourishing breakfast that includes fruit, protein, and whole grains.
  • Prepare Meals Ahead of Time: If you don’t have time or energy to cook during the week, prepare a few freezer meals ahead of time.
  • Try Grocery Delivery: If navigating the grocery store is difficult, look into grocery delivery options. This can ensure that you always have healthy food, even if you don’t get to the store. (Some Medicare Advantage plans cover nutrition education and meal delivery, with some limitations. Not sure if your plan includes this coverage? Give us a call!)
  • Keep Moving: If you’re struggling with appetite, try working more physical activity into your day. This can come in the form of walking or other light exercise – no strenuous workouts required!. Not only will activity help your appetite, but it’s also good for muscle strength, bone health, and your mood. (Your Medicare plan may even pay for your gym membership!)

How could your Medicare plan better support your health? Contact Twin City Underwriters to discuss your plan and whether it’s meeting your needs.

Choosing a Medicare plan can be difficult. Working with an insurance broker can help you find a plan that fits your needs. Schedule a one-on-one meeting with one of our Minneapolis insurance brokers to get your insurance questions answered!