Food should be diverse
No single natural food can provide all the nutrients the human body needs. A mix of various foods, properly combined, can complement each other and provide greater nutritional benefits.
Diet should be appropriate
As people enter old age, changes in endocrine and metabolic functions can weaken their self-control and tolerance for hunger and fullness. Overeating or undereating can lead to accidents, so it is important to maintain a moderate level of hunger and fullness.
Fats should be moderate
The diet for the elderly should be light, and the amount of cooking oil used daily should not be excessive.
Combine coarse and fine grains
Dietary fiber helps with intestinal peristalsis and can help prevent constipation, intestinal tumors, coronary heart disease, and has a certain effect on diabetes. However, excessive dietary fiber, especially coarse fiber, can interfere with the absorption of micronutrients, so it should be reasonably combined in the diet.
Salt intake should be limited
Long-term excessive salt intake is associated with a higher incidence of hypertension and certain cancers. The elderly should develop a "light" diet habit, with a daily salt intake of 5 to 6 grams being appropriate.
Alcohol consumption should be moderate
Each gram of alcohol provides 29.4 kilojoules of energy, which is 1.75 times that of carbohydrates and close to the energy content of fat. Therefore, the elderly should avoid alcohol. If they have a habit of drinking, they should only choose beer or yellow wine, and the amount should be small, not large.
Sweets should be eaten in moderation
Excessive consumption of sugary foods can lead to hyperlipidemia, obesity, and is also very harmful to teeth. Therefore, it is best for the elderly to eat less sweets.
Three meals a day should be balanced
Developing good eating habits is beneficial to health. The amount of food for breakfast should account for 30% of the total daily intake, lunch should be nutritious and account for 30-40% of the day, and dinner should be light and account for 25-30% of the day. Avoid overeating.