When you hear the word “malnutrition,” what comes to mind? Most people think of someone who is severely underweight. That’s not the case. Your parent can be overweight or at a healthy weight and still be dealing with malnutrition. Here are the facts to know about this issue. 
 
Common Signs of Malnutrition 
 
The signs of malnutrition may not be what you’re expecting. Is your mom or dad always cold? Does the skin appear dry and papery? That’s one warning sign. Cold feet and hands may be a sign of anemia, which occurs if the dietary intake of iron is too low. 
 
Another sign of malnutrition is a lack of energy. If your parent often sleeps in and still feels tired. Appetite changes and a desire to eat odd things like ice are other signs of malnutrition. Depression, anger, and irritability are other symptoms of malnutrition in the elderly. 
 
Does It Matter? 
 
Your parents aren’t underweight. If that’s the case, why is malnutrition so bad? If your body isn’t getting the right amount of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fats, it can weaken your immune system. That makes it harder for your mom and dad to fight infections like the common cold, flu, and foodborne illnesses. 
 
If your parent is going in for surgery, malnutrition makes it harder for the body to recover. A broken bone can take longer to heal. 
 
Malnutrition can reduce the amount of muscle. It can increase the risk of a fall. It impacts oral health, cognitive function, and overall well-being. 
 
What Makes Up a Proper Nutrition? 
 
A balanced diet that avoids added sugar and saturated fat is crucial to your parents’ health. They need to keep an eye on their sodium intake. Ideally, they want to stay under 2,200 mg per day, which is about a teaspoon. 
 
Your parents should get about 20 to 35 grams of fiber. Whole grains are best. To put fiber into perspective, one cup of quinoa has 5 grams of fiber. It would take at least 4 cups of quinoa to reach the minimum daily requirement. Vegetables like broccoli and sweet potatoes also contain fiber. 
 
They need dairy and fortified cereals to get calcium and vitamin D. Those are essential nutrients for bone health. Protein is necessary for muscles and the immune system. To keep saturated fat levels down, they need to focus on lean proteins found in seafood, chicken breast, and dried or canned beans. 
 
Make sure your parents are eating a balanced diet. If they have a hard time with menu planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation, hire senior care aides to help them. With one call to a senior care agency, you can have caregivers helping your parents with meals and snacks to ensure they’re eating a balanced diet.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering Senior Care in Town and Country, FL please contact the caring staff at Healthy Services Of Tampa, Inc today. 813-932-9922