| Although the elderly are less active and need less | | | | chew raw vegetables, eat generously of cooked ones. |
| energy from food than young adults, their nutrient | | | | Many raw fruits, such as prunes and berries, are high in |
| requirement is just as important, if not more. Therefore, | | | | fiber and are still tender enough to chew easily. |
| it is crucial that meals are planned for the elderly to | | | | 4. Go easy on such salty foods as potato chips, |
| ensure that they can receive their daily required | | | | pretzels, salted nuts, popcorn, snack crackers, |
| servings of nutrients. Here are some guidelines that | | | | commercial frozen dinners, pickled foods, cured meats, |
| can help you during your meal planning for the elderly: | | | | canned tuna or crab, sauerkraut, steak sauce, soy |
| 1. Select white fish or white meat of poultry. Darker | | | | sauce, and garlic salt. |
| fish and the dark meat of poultry are much higher in | | | | 5. Read labels on processed foods; often such foods |
| fat. When eating red meat, be sure you trim the fat. | | | | contain sodium in forms other than table salt. Be |
| Choose packages of ground meat that are marked | | | | aware of these ingredients: sodium nitrate, sodium |
| "extra lean". | | | | bicarbonate, monosodium glutarnate (MSG), sodium |
| 2. Drink skim milk often. The calcium and high-quality | | | | benzoate, and sodium phosphate. |
| protein in milk are extremely beneficial. Even though | | | | 6. Buy plain, unsweetened cereals and add sliced fruit |
| bones may have stopped growing, the body needs | | | | or raisins and nuts, instead of sugar. Although raisins |
| calcium to prevent bone deterioration. | | | | contain some sugar, they also provide vitamins, |
| 3. Eat high-fiber foods. If your teeth won't allow you to | | | | minerals, and fiber. |