Anchorage Aged Care: How Nutritious Food Helps You Thrive

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As we age, our bodies change. But from the time we are born, our bodies require food that can help us perform our daily functions and more. We tell kids to eat healthily and may not follow that ourselves, but eating healthy should be a habit for everyone. 

Changing what you eat to a healthier diet may seem complicated or intimidating. However, we weren’t born with the craving for unhealthy processed foods. Luckily, our brains are equipped to change, which means it’s possible to change your habits even at an older age. 

At Turnagain Social Club in Anchorage, we can help provide a healthy diet with tasty meals. We also offer cooking activities and more that you can do with other older adults. Your journey to eating more nutritious foods can become easier with the community provided here. 

Ready to cook with friends? Contact us to join TSC.

What Will a Healthy Diet Do?

Just like children require a balance, nutritious diet to grow and develop, eating well as an adult will keep you healthy and strong. As your body continues to change, it’s important to give it the essential nutrition to function. Daily tasks can get more challenging as you age, but having a healthy diet helps your body in many ways. 

Eating well can boost immunity, fight illnesses, keep weight in check, and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, bone loss, and cancer. A balanced diet and regular exercise can help foster your independence as you age. 

Healthy eating can also keep your mind sharp. Providing your brain with the proper nutrition improves focus and decreases your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A nutrient-dense diet  can also boost your mood and self-esteem. 

How Does Nutritious Eating Affect My Body?

As we age, our appetite may decrease, which can cause unbalanced eating habits. However, a healthy appetite is necessary to receive the proper vitamins and proteins your body needs. Some ways to do this include creating a routine around food, eating smaller and more frequent meals, and consuming more drinkable meals.  

Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables 

It’s essential to keep up a good intake of fruits and vegetables. You should choose antioxidant-rich dark, leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, and broccoli, as well as vegetables such as carrots and squash. Aim for two to three servings of fruits and two to three cups of vegetables.

Include Healthy Fats

Many people think of cutting fat from their diet. However, it’s not a good idea to cut “good fat.” Omega-3s are found in “good fat” and help fight disease and support your mood and brain function. 

Vary Your Protein Sources 

Consider varying your source of protein. Having too much processed meats, such as bacon, hot dogs, or salami, can increase your heart disease and cancer risk. Mixing fish, peas, beans, eggs, and nuts into your diet will help diversify your protein intake and even reduces depression, anxiety, and stress.

Increase Your Fiber Intake 

Our metabolism begins to slow as we age, so it’s vital to increase our fiber intake. This will help with digestion, lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, and improve the health of your skin. 

Opt for Health Whole Grains 

Choosing to switch to healthy whole grains for your carb intake is important. Cutting down sugar and refined carbs, such as white rice and white flour, reduces your chances of having a spike in blood sugar. Drinking water and eating healthy allow your body to stay strong and recover.

How Does Eating Healthy Affect My Mind?

The food that you eat can have a significant impact on your mood and mental health. Certain chemicals in food will affect your energy and brain that can help improve your mood and focus. 

The best combination for a happy and healthy mind includes complex carbohydrates with lean proteins and colorful produce. This diet increases the amount of the feel-good chemical serotonin in your brain. Similarly, protein intake has been linked to higher levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which can help with motivation and concentration. 

Nutrients for a Healthy Body and Mind

Having fruits and vegetables nourish your body with antioxidants and can lead to you feeling better. An overall, these are the nutrients that you should prioritize for a healthier mood:

  • Folate

  • Iron

  • Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA)

  • Magnesium

  • Potassium

  • Vitamin A

  • Vitamin B6

  • Vitamin B12

  • Vitamin C

  • Zinc

Foods to consider avoiding are flour-based foods, such as bread, baked goods, or crackers. Sugar-sweetened beverages and snacks, including sodas and cookies, are also good to avoid. Anchorage aged care at Turnagain Social Club can help with eating healthier to improve your mental health.

Want to keep your mind sharp and have fun doing so? Contact us to get started.

How to Help Cope with Your Changing Body

One of the more challenging facts you have to cope with is how your body changes. As we age, our metabolism slows, and our physical activity typically drops, leading to weight gain. 

In contrast, some older adults take medications that can affect their taste. This can lead to a loss of appetite and not eating the appropriate amount of nutrients for your body. 

You may also experience weakened senses as you age, affecting your taste of bitter and salty flavors. This can lead to an increase in salt usage in your food, driving up your sodium levels. Try using herbs, spices, or healthy oils like olive oil for seasoning your food instead. 

 As your digestion declines, you will generate less saliva and stomach acid, making it difficult for your body to process specific vitamins and minerals like B12, B6, and folic acid. All of these are necessary for maintaining mental alertness and good circulation. You can talk to your doctor about possibly using supplements or up your fiber intake. 

Chewing food may also become harder as you get older, so drinking smoothies made with fresh fruit and yogurt can help. You can also steam your vegetables to make them easier to eat. 

Although coping with your changing body is complex and could require a leave of rief, knowing how your body changes make it easier to manage. Doing healthy cooking and making eating an enriching part of your daily routine can help make the transition exciting.

How to Make a Lifestyle Change to Eat Healthier

Choosing to eat healthily can be the first step, but it requires a lifestyle change. Cooking with others can be an efficient way to feel excited about changing your eating habits. If you’re changing your diet with friends, it can help keep you accountable and motivated. 

Going food shopping with friends can be another way to help choose healthier food options. It also allows you to catch up while getting chores done. 

Something that can greatly help you change your lifestyle to eat healthier is making mealtimes a social experience. Being around friends can boost your mood, and sharing nutritious food with others is fun. If you find new ways to make healthy food delicious, you can share it with others and make the whole process enjoyable. 

Keeping the goal in mind of living longer and stronger can help your motivation. The idea of keeping your mind sharp and your body feeling better is helpful as well. 

At Turnagain Social Club, we allow you to cook with others and can help motivate you to eat healthily. Our unique Anchorage aged care cooking activities are fun and enable you to enjoy socializing while integrating nutritious food into your diet. 

Ready to start your fun nutrition journey with others? Contact us to learn more about our services.