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Diet for Older AdultsIn some ways, a healthy diet for older adults does not differ a great deal from that of younger groups in terms of general nutritional rules. Any diet needs to include all of the basic food groups including proteins, starches, grains and the fruits and vegetables which are part of good nutrition. However some modifications in diet are indicated for older adults. For example, while young people require generous amounts of protein in their diets because they are developing bones and muscle, in the older adult little red meat is required. On the other hand, fish is an important element in the diet of all adults. If an older person is under stress for any reason, fish in the diet becomes more important, as it has been discovered to reduce stress. Many older adults have developed some type of health problem, often high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Here animal fats, white flour and sugar should be avoided in the diet. Oat grain has been found beneficial in reducing cholesterol and is thus the best choice for older adults. In any age group, white flour should be omitted in favor of whole grains in the diet. A substantial amount of roughage should be included in the older adult diet to aid digestion and elimination. This is found in such vegetables as corn, beans, cabbagee,broccoli (also rich in antioxidants, a cancer deterrent), carrots and salad vegetables. Fruits and berries are important in the diet, with blueberries, apples, grapefruit and melon being rich in nutrients. Older women in particular may require calcium/magnesium as a diet supplement, as bone calcium tends to diminish after menopause. If there is a weight problem, calcium/megnesium in the diet also helps the body to eliminate fat in the intestines before it is deposited in the body. Some advocate adding various vitamin and mineral supplements to the diet throughout life, as often circumstances prevent maintaining a totally healthy diet. Adding such supplements can be more important in the diet of older adults, as the body is less efficient in extracting nutrients from food. Many solve this diet addition by simply taking an all-encompassing one-a-day capsule. Other students of nutrition may work out a system of adding a number of special nutrients to the diet which are available in health food stores. Older adults should acquire nutritional information and listen to their bodies to create a balanced healthy diet.
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