Why Aging Changes Your Relationship with Food – and How to Adapt

Throughout our lives, we experience different nutritional needs. As we age, we may have to deal with various health concerns, weaker bones, or less energy. As a result, the foods we eat should also change to adapt to our new needs and help us feel our best.

A Changing Relationship

Food provides essential nutrients and energy, but it should also be enjoyed, shared, and experienced with loved ones. In older age, factors such as reduced sense of smell and taste or loss of teeth/dentures may affect this positive relationship with food. Going out to a restaurant may require too much energy, and suddenly food experiences are no longer enjoyable.

The easiest way to adapt to this changing relationship is to find what works best for you. If you enjoy sharing a meal with family and friends, find a local restaurant you can easily get to or offer to host dinner at yours. You can order takeaway, or for a healthier, dietitian-approved option, get senior meals delivered straight to your door from Magickitchen.com.

If you have dentures, make sure they fit properly and comfortably. If your dentition prevents you from enjoying food, try to book an appointment with a dentist and express your concerns.

Increase Protein Intake

As we age, muscle mass naturally decreases, leading to reduced strength. We also tend to move and exercise less due to a lack of energy or pain. As a result, we require more protein, vitamin D, and calcium to strengthen muscles and bones. Incorporate more lean protein into your diet, such as chicken breast, fish, or eggs. Dairy products, such as milk, cottage cheese, and yogurt, are also excellent sources of protein and calcium.

Improving Digestion

Constipation and other symptoms of indigestion can also frequently occur in older age. This is partially due to the lack of movement but is also a common side effect of many medications. Increase fiber intake and drink enough water throughout the day to improve digestion. Fiber-rich foods include most vegetables, fruit, seeds, beans, and whole grains.

Just because your relationship with food might change in older age doesn’t mean it needs to be negative. Learning about balanced diets for different age groups and how to adapt by understanding your nutritional needs, increasing protein and fiber intake, and enjoying food in new ways will help maintain a good quality of life.