Could changing your diet in your 70s actually improve your health, or is it too late? According to nutrition expert Amy Covington, the power to transform health through diet remains strong throughout our entire lives.
Amy shares the remarkable story of a senior who initially refused to change his eating habits but experienced dramatic improvements in his Diabetes management and mobility after just six months of nutritional changes. This transformation challenges the widespread belief that older adults can't reverse chronic conditions or improve their metabolic health.
Drawing from her experience overseeing Utah's nutrition programs and researching senior malnutrition, Amy distinguishes between simply “plant-based” eating and truly nutritious whole foods. She offers practical approaches for seniors hesitant to completely eliminate animal products, suggesting an 80-20 rule that allows flexibility while maximizing health benefits.
Perhaps most valuable are her strategies for addressing decreased appetite, a critical issue for many seniors. From making mealtimes social events to enhancing food's visual appeal and stimulating appetite through light activity, these techniques help break the cycle of poor nutrition that often accelerates health decline. Amy also recommends specific screening tools caregivers can use to identify nutrition risks before they become serious medical concerns.
Whether you're caring for an Aging parent, working professionally with seniors, or planning for your own healthy aging journey, these evidence-based nutrition strategies offer a path to enhanced quality of life. Discover how simple changes like incorporating more colorful vegetables, switching to whole grains, and being mindful about protein sources can significantly impact wellness in our later years.
• Nutrition changes can significantly improve health at any age – even in your 70s or 80s
• Plant-based nutrition offers specific benefits for chronic conditions common in seniors
• Small changes like following the 80/20 rule can make meaningful health improvements
• Decreased appetite is a major concern for seniors, often creating a cycle of poor nutrition
• Eating with seniors, making meals visually appealing, and encouraging light Exercise can improve appetite
• Eating less red meat (ideally twice monthly) and focusing on whole grains offers significant health benefits
• Medicare and Medicaid increasingly recognize nutrition services for chronic conditions
• Simple screening tools like the Malnutrition Screening Tool can help identify nutrition risks
• Frozen fruits and vegetables are cost-effective alternatives that maintain nutritional value
• Changing the plate composition to include more colorful vegetables and fruits is an easy first step
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging through das.utah.gov/locations to learn about meal programs and nutrition services available in your county.
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