HEALTHY EATING AFTER 50 ---------------------------------------------- Did you know that your food needs change as you age? listen to this video for our tips to help keep your bones strong, heart-healthy and weight steady. Our nutritional needs change throughout different stages of life. As we get older, we need less of some nutrients such as iron and grains. And we need more of others, like calcium and healthy fats, to accommodate changing hormone levels and metabolisms. We take a look at how our diet may need to change from the age of 50 onwards.
Age 50-70 Women Boost dairy intake The average age for women to hit menopause is 51. At this time, levels of the hormone estrogen begin to fall, resulting in increased bone loss that may lead to osteoporosis. As a result, womenโs dairy intake needs almost double in this time to ensure youโre getting enough calcium. Dairy serves should increase from 2ยฝ serves a day to 4 serves after menopause. โItโs a significant increase, and I see so many women who are post-menopausal who donโt have nearly enough dairy in their diet,โ โTheyโre often worried to do so because they think it will cause additional weight gain, but often it actually helps your weight loss instead.โ Pick your protein
After menopause, women no longer need to replace iron lost each month through menstruation, so iron and protein needs drop a little, going from 2ยฝ to 2 serves a day.
Nutritionists suggest replacing some of your red meat protein sources with fish and dairy. Fish has omega-3 fatty acids good for heart health, and dairy has calcium, good for bone health. After the age of 50, the recommended serves of grains and cereals also drop from 6 to 4 serves a day. McGrice recommends choosing mainly wholegrain options like wholemeal bread, brown rice, oats, and quinoa.
Men after 50 years to 70 years Downsize meals if needed Kilo joule needs for men โ and women โ decrease with age, as metabolisms slow down and activity levels commonly drop. McGrice has noticed men, in particular, tend to stick to the same meal sizes as they did when they were younger. You can work out your daily kilojoule needs with an online calculator. Bump up healthy fats
One of the biggest health challenges men face as they age is the risk of heart disease, so healthy oils for cardiovascular health become even more important. Replace trans fats, found in deep-fried and baked foods, and saturated fats, found in butter, meat, and coconut oil, with healthy fats, such as those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocado, when you can.
In your 70s Men & women Fiber up Maintaining healthy bowel function is more challenging as we age as your muscles, including the colon, become less efficient. โItโs important to try to have plenty of water and plenty of fibrous vegetables and fresh fruit to help with healthy bowels.โ
Men Calcium smarts Even though men donโt experience the same sharp hormonal changes as women, their need for calcium does increase past their 70s. The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that men should increase their dairy serves from 2ยฝ serves to 3ยฝ serves a day after 70.
In your 80s Men & women Maintain enough weight Being underweight can sometimes become a bigger issue for some people over 80, as appetites can drop off owing to age and medications. The recommended body mass index actually increases after the age of 65, says McGrice. So rather than thinking about weight loss, you can focus on eating a balanced diet. But speak to your GP before you make any changes.
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By: Dr.G Bhanu Prakash Animated Medical Videos Title: HEALTHY EATING AFTER 50: Did you know that your food needs change as you age? Must watch this video Sourced From: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w1HIBWJlfA
