Diet is an extremely important factor in one’s overall wellness. Having a healthy diet after 65 becomes increasingly important as we age to keep our hearts healthy, blood pumping, and bones strong . As March is National Nutrition Month, we wanted to take some time to shine the spotlight on healthy eating and diet management for seniors. 

What’s the Healthiest Diet for Seniors?

 The top three components of a healthy diet after 65 are: 

• Lean protein, such as meats, seafood, beans, and eggs.
• Fruits and veggies
• Whole grains

People ages 65+ should follow unique dietary guidelines for seniors, including:

• Enjoy a wide variety of foods across food groups to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
• Eat a lot of brightly colored, fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Choose whole grains.
• Choose foods with little to no sodium, added sugars, and saturated fats.
• Be sure to eat enough protein to maintain muscle mass.
• Eat foods rich in potassium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, and fiber.
• Drink enough water.
• Opt for fat-free or low-fat milk, cheese, and other dairy products.
• Eat ample amounts of seafood, poultry, and eggs.
• Avoid empty calories, such as soda, chips, candy, and alcohol.

Top 5 Foods For Controlling Diabetes

The top five foods seniors should avoid for diabetes include:

• High-fat meat, like ribs
• Pork Bacon
• Fried foods
• Sugary drinks
• White bread, rice, and pasta

In addition to avoiding the foods mentioned above, seniors should do the following to control diabetes:

• Get active. Aim for 30 minutes of light activity daily, five days per week.
• Control your portions.
• Avoid added sugar.
• Regularly check glucose levels.
• Never miss medication doses or doctor’s appointments.
• Get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly.
• Examine your feet every day for signs of infection. Keep your feet clean and moisturized.
• Get vaccinated.
• Visit the dentist.
• Have regular hearing tests.
• Increase your dietary fiber intake to 20-35 grams per day.

What Is the BlueStar Diabetes App?

The BlueStar mobile app is a comprehensive app intended for people with diabetes. The app gives guidance, education, motivation, and accountability and connects patients with a health care team.

BlueStar is considered the best app to track blood sugar and is available on Apple and Android. The BlueStar Diabetes App costs $100 per month.

How Does BlueStar Help Seniors?

BlueStar provides seniors with telehealth services to help them live comfortably in their homes as they age while still seeking appropriate healthcare and managing their diabetes. BlueStar helps seniors stay healthy, connected, and safe while remaining free and independent.

What Is the Older Americans Nutrition Program?

Proper nutrition is critical for older adults. The Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program is one of the most well-known government food programs for seniors. It provides grants to help states support nutrition services for older people throughout the nation.

The program has four main goals:

• Reduce hunger and food insecurity in America.
• Promote socialization for seniors.
• Promote overall health and well-being.
• Delay adverse health conditions for seniors.

The program aims to offer community-based nutrition services for older adults that are at risk of losing their independence. The Older Americans Nutrition program promotes healthy meals in a wide array of group setting. The meals provide a healthy diet with at least one-third of the recommended daily nutritional value for those over 65. You can download a PDF of the nutritional requirements for older adults here.

Remote Patient Monitoring and Nutrition Management

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) through apps like BlueStar helps seniors age in place. They can stay comfortable at home instead of having to live in a nursing home or long-term care facility because their health care team can monitor them remotely and make adjustments to their diets based on the metrics the app delivers.

RPM is especially helpful for patients with diabetes and obesity, who may have a more challenging time leaving the house. The more accessible access to diabetes and obesity care management helps patients maintain healthy blood sugar levels and manage their nutrition and weight. RPM represents a significant advancement in managing comorbidity risks, including obesity.

What are the benefits of remote patient monitoring?

There are many benefits of remote patient monitoring, including:

• Nutrition management: With remote patient monitoring, health care teams can monitor a patient’s blood sugar and glucose levels as well as what they’re eating and drinking throughout the day.
• Accuracy: RPM helps patients accurately record their food and drink intake as it happens using technology. This is much more effective than having an obese or diabetic patient meet with their provider once every few months and try to recall what they’ve been eating. It’s also more accurate than having patients use a food journal, which they can easily forget or “fudge.” 
• Greater weight loss for obese participants: Remote patient monitoring for obese patients is a monumental advancement that allows health care providers to help patients manage their risk of co-morbidities remotely. Remote patient monitoring is also quite effective, particularly for obese patients and controlling their weight. Also, take a look at these four tips for maintaining a healthy weight as a senior.

Contact us today if you’re interested in learning more about healthy diets for seniors or how remote patient monitoring can help promote a healthy diet after 65. 

From, The Zemplee Team