Healthy eating in senior living is essential for seniors who want to live well, be active, and stay happy. Recent reports show that 10% of seniors living alone don’t eat enough, and a third of those seniors overeat1. This makes eating healthy in senior living more important than ever.
Baptist Retirement Community is a full-service senior living community for those who want a fulfilling retirement surrounded by their friends and peers. Our Main Street Cafe has a full-service culinary team that prepares fresh meals and snacks throughout the day that are healthy and delicious. Each of our programs includes a nutritious meal plan that considers various dietary or medical restrictions. Call 325.313.7931 today to schedule a tour and learn more about our senior health and wellness program.
Why Is Senior Living Nutrition So Important?
Healthy eating is the best way to live a long and fulfilling life. As people age, their metabolism slows, and they encounter muscle loss and lower energy levels. People’s bodies take longer to recover from injuries, and blood vessels begin to thicken, making it harder to pump blood to the heart. People’s ligaments even become less elastic and weaken. There are so many changes happening at once that retaining the health that people have with proper nutrition becomes vital.
Making smart food choices can slow the progression of age-related illnesses and injuries and reduce the chances of the onset of certain medical conditions, including:
- Depression
- Problems eating
- Dementia
- Dental problems
- Substance abuse
- Digestive disorders
It can be very easy to eat unhealthily. Stress and other factors like age-related psychological disorders, declining health, limited access to food, poor physical condition, and multiple illnesses can contribute to more convenient food choices that don’t always prioritize wellness.
At Baptist Retirement Community, we welcome Texas seniors of all ages to live in style and comfort. Our full-time culinary team prepares senior living cuisine at all times of the day. We also have healthy snacks available while residents enjoy social events and planned outings.
The Benefits of Healthy Eating in Senior Living
Senior living communities are embracing health and wellness for their residents in a variety of ways, and cuisine is a big one. Nourishing food increases energy levels, improves concentration, and is often part of a fun social event. If you are new to eating more healthy choices, here are just a few of the benefits of senior living cuisine:
- Improves immune system – Healthy eating can improve your immune system and reduce the risk of certain diseases. Healthy foods can reduce blood pressure, prevent diabetes, dementia, heart and liver disease, and lower your risk of certain cancers.
- Boosts your energy levels – Certain foods contain complex carbohydrates and can aid in generating more energy. Search for foods that include potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins, such as B6, 12, and more. A good breakfast is important to give you enough energy for the day.
- Improves bone density and muscle strength – Foods with high levels of calcium, Vitamin D, protein, and magnesium can strengthen bones and rebuild lost muscle mass. These nutrients can help seniors improve their physical health, prevent falls, and strengthen their mobility.
- Improves cognitive abilities – Another benefit of eating healthy is it can improve memory retention and cognitive abilities. Foods like dark chocolate, eggs, salmon, and leafy greens are high in antioxidants and have proven to slow the effects of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological disorders.
- Get a better night’s rest – Seniors who eat a healthy diet will find that they sleep better as well. Peanut butter, whole grain bread, almonds, cherries, and bananas can help promote a better night’s sleep. Better sleeping patterns mean you have more energy throughout the day, improve your immune system and heart health, improve your mood, and other benefits.
A high-quality life often begins with how individuals care for their most important resource—their bodies. Eating healthy in senior living means choosing a community as committed to your health as you are.
Baptist Retirement Community: Schedule a Tour of Our Senior Health and Wellness Program Today
Baptist Retirement Community is a thriving community that is leading the way in senior living nutrition. We love Texas seniors who want to make the most of their retirement years. Each of our programs is tailored to the individual and includes everything they need to be happy and healthy. Our senior living cuisine features three-course meals, seasonal specialties, classic favorites, and friendly service.
Visit and experience what life is like at Baptist Retirement Community by calling 325.313.7931 today or by submitting our online contact form.