Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting tens of millions of Americans. But you can reduce your risk of heart disease and other health conditions by adding heart-healthy foods to your diet. Senior nutrition services at senior living facilities consider the health needs of older adults when preparing meals for their residents. Whether or not you are cooking for yourself or enjoying the dining room in your senior community, learning more about nutrition for seniors can help you make the best food choices.
Buckner Calder Woods is proud to provide premium dining options in our upscale Texas senior living community. We understand how vital good nutrition for seniors is for our residents to look and feel their best. Getting the right foods into your diet can help you live a longer, healthier life and stay active as long as possible. Call us today at 409.407.7636 to learn more about our senior nutrition services and how we support optimal health.
The importance of Nutrition for Seniors
Heart disease is a leading cause of death among seniors, but it can be prevented by taking steps to improve your diet. It is important to eat heart-healthy foods for seniors to reduce the risks of heart disease. Changing your diet can benefit your heart and prevent or reduce symptoms of other conditions such as depression, anxiety, joint pain, and diabetes.
Heart-Healthy Foods for Seniors
As you get older, your diet becomes more important than ever. Certain health conditions that are associated with aging can be prevented or alleviated simply by eating a well-rounded diet full of heart-healthy foods. To prevent heart problems that tend to affect seniors, try adding more of the following heart-healthy foods to your diet:
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Coconut oil
- Fish
- Olive oil
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Green tea
- Coffee
- Whole grains
When modifying your diet for heart health, the most important thing to keep in mind is to choose fresh, whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible. Fruits and vegetables are always a great choice, especially berries and greens. The next best option is frozen if fresh produce is unavailable to you, such as during the winter months. Choose raw, unsalted nuts over roasted or salted versions. Instead of sugary bottled iced teas or coffee drinks, opt for freshly made coffee or tea without the added sweeteners.
Preparing heart-healthy foods every day can take more effort than grabbing convenience foods or throwing a frozen meal into the microwave. If you live in a senior community with dining services, you can enjoy healthy food without all the work. Just be sure to select the healthiest options on the menu and save the treats for special occasions or eat them in small portions.
Foods to Limit for Heart Health
While practicing moderation is a good rule of thumb when it comes to a healthy diet, certain foods should be limited to protect your heart health. Here are a few foods you should consider eliminating from your diet to support your heart:
- Red meat
- Margarine
- Bacon
- Soda
- Processed meats
- Refined grains
- Baked goods
- Butter
It can be tough to remove all of these foods from your diet. However, if you replace your favorite foods on the list with healthier versions, you can continue to enjoy them in moderation.
Buckner Calder Woods: Heart-Healthy Dining Options
Heart health is an important part of staying healthy as you age. Buckner Calder Woods makes eating a balanced diet easy and enjoyable. Our premium dining services offer an array of delicious, heart-healthy foods so that you can spend less time preparing healthy meals and more time enjoying them in the company of your peers. Call us today at 409.407.7636 to learn more about how we promote good nutrition for seniors in our community.