Having
one too many in-between-meal snacks might be commonly associated with an
unhealthy diet and weight gain.
But for the
elderly, munching on healthy snacks can be beneficial in ensuring they
get enough of the calories needed in their daily dietary intake.
In a study of
2,000 elderly participants aged 65 and older published in the Journal of
American Dietetic Association, researchers at Auburn University found that
participants who snacked frequently ate about 250 calories more and
ad a higher protein, carbohydrate and fat intake, compared to those who
ate only three square meals a day.
And when the
three meals an elderly person eats do not contain the sufficient nutrients
and calories needed to meet their daily requirements, their health suffers.
According to
dietitian Yvonne Ban of Alexandra Hospital, the elderly are often found
to be nutrient-deficient a common condition among this demographic for
a number of reasons.
The elderly
tend to consume less food. This is usually due to factors like poor dentition,
immobility, lack of financial support, altered taste and decrease in appetite
or memory problems, she said.
The researchers
of the Auburn University study noted that, on average, 70-year-old men
ate 1,000 to 1,200 fewer calories than 25-year-old males while elderly
women ate 600 to 800 less calories than their younger counterparts.
Study results
also revealed that the elderly who snacked on food in addition to their
regular meals were less prone to suffering from poor nutrition and weight
loss.
However, not
all snacks are good. Ms Ban describes a healthy, nutritious snack as one
that is nutrient-dense, that is, packed with more nutrients than calories.
High-protein
and high-energy snacks such as fruity bread or red bean soup eaten mid-
morning or mid-afternoon, are recommended over empty-calorie ones such
as cookies and cakes.
Apart from snacking,
Ms Ban also suggests serving food in smaller portions to make it more appetizing
and not as intimidating to finish, in order to boost food intake in the
elderly. A smaller serving is less daunting than, say, a big plate of
rice with vegetables, soup and meat, she said.
To stimulate
the taste buds of the elderly, it is also best to maximise their enjoyment
of food through their senses.
Hence, the visual
presentation of a meal is important.
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Copyright
2007 by United Press International.
All rights reserved.
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