My Plate
Describes the nutritional needs for individuals as they age.
Complete Protein
Comes from animal sources and contains essential and nonessential amino acids.
Incomplete Protein
Comes from plant sources, but plants do not include both essential and nonessential amino acids.
Major Minerals
- needed in greater amounts
- essential for the body
- Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, chloride, and potassium
Minor Minerals
- trace minerals
- essential for the body
- iron, zinc, iodine, and flouride
Common reasons for older adults lose weight
- Changes in health
- Prolonged illness
- Metabolic changes that affect food absorption, digestion, or elimination
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Inability to self feed or even see the food
- Depression
- Food does not taste good
- The older adult may not be able to purchase, prepare, or eat the food
Four Basic causes for electrolyte imbalance
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive Perspiration
- Urination
Benefits of Folate
- Reduces risk of Alzheimer’s disease
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in women by 50%
- Forms body cells and hemoglobin
Most prevalent mineral in the body
Calcium
Determining factors for fluid/water intake for the older adult
-Gender
-Age
-Chronic Diseases
-Physical Activity
-Metabolic activity
-Heat exposure
(Older adults are at risk for dehydration because they often neglect drinking adequate amounts of fluids during the day)
Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
Each food group is necessary to maintain and repair the body during health and illness
It is important for old people to eat a variety of foods with Carbohydrates, Proteins, and fats
To ensure that the body can maintain and repair itself
Vitamins
Help build, maintain and repair the body
Therapeutic Diets
May be ordered for people who need tailored nutritional choices. May need more or fewer calories. May need some dietary restrictions.
Ex. Low sodium diet for a person with hypertension
Factors that determine a need for added protein for maintenance and body repair in older adults diet
- Age
- Gender
- Chronic Diseases
- Fevers
- Infections
- Surgery
- Traumatic injury
Mastication
Chewing
Deglutition
Swallowing
