March is National Nutrition Month

Eating Well As You Get Older

Eating well is vital for everyone at all ages. Whatever your age, your daily food choices can make an important difference in your health and in how you look and feel. Eating a well-planned, balanced mix of foods every day has many health benefits. For instance, eating well may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, bone loss, some kinds of cancer, and anemia. If you already have one or more of these chronic diseases, eating well and being physically active may help you better manage them. Healthy eating may also help you reduce high blood pressure, lower high cholesterol, and manage diabetes.

Eating well gives you the nutrients needed to keep your muscles, bones, organs, and other parts of your body healthy throughout your life. These nutrients include vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fats, and water. Eating well helps keep up your energy level, too. By consuming enough calories -- a way to measure the energy you get from food -- you give your body the fuel it needs throughout the day. The number of calories needed depends on how old you are, whether you're a man or woman, and how active you are.

Consuming the right number of calories for your level of physical activity helps you control your weight, too. Extra weight is a concern for older adults because it can increase the risk for diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease and can increase joint problems. Eating more calories than your body needs for your activity level will lead to extra pounds. If you become less physically active as you age, you will probably need fewer calories to stay at the same weight. Choosing mostly nutrient-dense foods (foods which are high in nutrients but low in calories) can give you the nutrients you need while keeping down calorie intake.

Eating well isn't just a "diet" or "program" that's here today and gone tomorrow. It is part of a healthy lifestyle that you can adopt now and stay within the years to come. Whatever your age, you can start making positive lifestyle changes today. Eating well can help you stay healthy and independent -- and look and feel good -- in the years to come.

Swallowing and Feeding Difficulties Can Prevent You From Eating Well

Swallowing difficulties, termed dysphagia, can occur for several reasons. They can result from problems with any part of the swallowing process. Common causes of dysphagia include problems related to the mouth or throat (pharynx) and the esophagus.

Swallowing difficulties can present several different types of symptoms depending on the source of the problem. Some people may have difficulty aligning their jaws to bite, closing their lips, chewing, and moving their tongue to maneuver food to the back of their mouth. Food and liquid may dribble out of the mouth or remain in the mouth after attempting to swallow. Food and liquid may accumulate in the space between the teeth and gums or the teeth and the cheeks. Further, some people may have problems with coughing and choking. Aspiration occurs if the food or liquid is not removed with coughing or choking, but instead enters the lungs. Aspiration can lead to infection, including pneumonia.

When you are ready to embark on your new life resolution, take advantage of the resources available at your finger tips. Contacting your therapy department is a great first step. These degreed professionals can provide you with guidance, evaluate your balance, and discuss any new pains that might be limiting your ability to start your new life resolution. Call 573-238-2614 for an appointment with a licensed therapist for a free rehabilitation screen.

Resources:

 http://nihseniorhealth.gov

 http://www.iHealthSpot.com