Disease prevention begins with eating a well-balanced diet. We all know that the best medicine is prevention, and there’s no better way to keep diseases at bay than by doing things like this:
Disease prevention begins with eating a well-balanced diet. Preventive medicine is well known, and there is no better way to prevent diseases than to live a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity as well as a nutritious diet that includes plenty of water.
To quote Hippocrates, “Let food and medicine be your medicine and food be your medicine.” Hippocrates
A poor diet, on the other hand, can contribute to a variety of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, which is Spain’s leading cause of death. We must pay particular attention to diet when it comes to the elderly, because their immune systems are weaker.
Our dietary requirements change with age and circumstance; a 20-year-old does not require the same foods as a 70-year-old who is reliant on others. In a previous post, we discussed good feeding habits for the elderly and dependent people, but as caregivers, what kind of food should we provide them with?
In order to ensure longevity, quality of life, and thus prevent various diseases, here are some tips for preparing a well-balanced diet for the elderly that meets all of their nutritional needs.
Fats Fats are required to obtain the energy needed to carry out the daily tasks that keep us alive. However, it’s important to know the difference between good fats and bad fats so you can keep track of how much of each you consume.
To put it another way, healthy fats like olive oil and nuts can be consumed on a daily basis. However, fatty meats, sausages, butter, and industrial pastries should only be consumed on rare occasions due to the potential health risks they pose, including high blood pressure.
Carbohydrates
One of our body’s many great energy sources is found right here. Carbohydrates can be found in the following foods, listed from most to least frequently consumed: Everything from bread to noodles to grains and legumes to nuts and sweets.
Patients with diabetes should exercise extra caution when it comes to carbohydrate intake, as this can significantly raise blood glucose levels.
Protein
Proteins, whether animal or vegetable, are essential for muscle growth and maintenance. Milk and other dairy products, fish, lean meats, poultry, eggs, and legumes are examples of foods that are high in this nutrient. Sausages and fatty meats are consumed in the same way, but less frequently.
It’s important to keep in mind that people with kidney disease should limit their protein intake because the kidneys are responsible for eliminating the waste that comes from that. By doing so, we can save ourselves the extra work.
Minerals And Vitamins Are Essential For Good Health.
All of our body’s internal processes are regulated and maintained by these substances, which also provide a significant amount of antioxidants. It is because of these biochemical reactions that our cells do everything from converting food into energy to growing new tissues and treating various diseases that they are responsible for them. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts all contain them.
Fiber
Intestinal function issues are very common in the elderly. Constipation can be alleviated by eating foods high in fibre, such as vegetables, fruits with skin, legumes, and whole grains, which are all readily available. To improve bowel function, include fibre in your diet, as well as drinking more fluids and engaging in physical activity.
Water
Finally, we have water and the significance of staying properly hydrated. Because of it, we are able to transport all of the ingested nutrients to the cells and other parts of our bodies that require them. A minimum of 4 to 8 glasses of 200 ml. wine per day is recommended.
To summarise, food is a critical weapon in the fight against disease, as well as a preventative measure. In other words, if you want to be healthy, you should reflect that in your diet.
