What Foods Should Seniors Never Eat?

A healthy diet is essential to staying fit and strong during the golden years. In general, a good diet for seniors relies on getting plenty of lean protein, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to making sure they eat the right foods, there are also some foods seniors need to avoid. 

Undercooked Eggs & Meat

Eating undercooked eggs and meat is normally fine for younger adults because the immune system fights off harmful bacteria found in undercooked products. However, seniors have weaker immune systems, so they’re more likely to get food poisoning and other infections from eating undercooked food. Always follow food safety recommendations and cook meat and eggs to a safe temperature before serving.

Older adults who need assistance with meal preparation should consider professional in-home care. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care service. Assisting Hands Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

Grapefruit

For most people, grapefruit is a harmless snack with a sharp-tasting citrus flavor. For seniors on certain medications, though, grapefruit can be dangerous. This fruit contains compounds that interact with certain drugs. Check your loved one’s medication labels carefully to see if they recommend avoiding eating grapefruit with them.

Diet Sodas

Diet soft drinks might sound healthy, but they’re quite unhealthy. The high artificial sweetener content has been linked to a 43 percent greater likelihood of heart problems, according to a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Diet sodas don’t even control weight. People who regularly drink diet soda tend to gain weight because the sweet taste and lack of calories trigger hunger cravings. 

Consuming healthy drinks and taking part in physical activity can help seniors optimize their health and enhance their quality of life. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of Frederick elder care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.

Soft Cheeses

Like raw meat and eggs, soft cheeses are a hazard for seniors because they contain high levels of bacteria that may cause problems. Options like blue cheese, Camembert, and Brie are made from unpasteurized milk, so seniors with weak immune systems run the risk of getting dangerous infections. However, seniors don’t have to avoid all kinds of cheese. Hard cheeses like cheddar and Swiss are perfectly safe.

Low-Fat Foods

Seniors often think they’re eating healthy by choosing foods labeled “low fat.” However, fat is essential for making foods flavorful, so manufacturers throw in an excess amount of sugar to compensate for the lack of fat. In most cases, low-fat foods are higher in calories and sugar than their full-fat counterparts. 

Sprouts

Bean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, and other types of sprouted foods are a common ingredient in healthy salads and sandwiches. However, the damp environment they’re grown in makes sprouts one of the leading causes of E. coli outbreaks. Since seniors have weaker immune systems, exposure to these bacteria can lead to pneumonia and other dangerous conditions. 

Consider hiring a professional caregiver to help your loved one make healthy lifestyle choices and live independently. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care Frederick, a leading provider of at-home care. Frederick seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable caregivers. Call us at (301) 786-5045 to learn about our comprehensive in-home care plans.