nutrition

 Cindy and Jake of Hired Hands Sonoma
office recently attended Vineyard Commons Health Fair. Hired Hands Homecare had a table with health information and a 30 minute presentation on Super Foods was given by Cindy in the Commons Lounge.

Hired Hands also had a Super Foods gift basket to raffle for the residents there. It was a great event for the residents and was well attended.
Congrats to the winner of the gift basket!

We all benefit from a healthy diet, but it’s especially important for those diagnosed with cancer. Good nutrition helps cancer patients regain strength, enabling them to endure chemotherapy treatments, defend against infections, eliminate breakdown of body tissue, and rebuild lost tissue. Good nutrition also helps patients cope with any cancer treatment side effects and may even be able to help them handle higher doses of certain drugs.

Nutrition recommendations for those with cancer may emphasize eating more higher calorie, higher protein foods. The doctor may recommend drinking more milk or eating foods like cheese and cooked eggs. Other suggestions might include increasing the use of sauces and gravies, or changing cooking methods to include more butter, margarine, or oil. Sometimes, nutrition recommendations for cancer patients suggest eating less of certain high-fiber foods which can aggravate problems such as diarrhea or a … Read More »

Vitamins and minerals are a vital aspect of health for people of all ages. However, as we’ve noted in previous blog posts, nutrition needs change as we age, and it’s important for seniors to talk with their doctors to ensure that their particular nutritional needs are being met.

The National Institute on Aging highlights the following vitamins and minerals as being crucial for seniors in the right quantities:

Vitamin D: For those over age 70, a level of between 800 and 4,000 IU is recommended (up from the 600 – 4,000 IU recommended for ages 50 – 70). Good sources for vitamin D include milk, fish, fish oil and some cereals.
Vitamin B6: Found in liver and other organ meats, whole grains, and some cereals, women need 1.5 mg each day, while the need increases for men to 1.7 mg.
Vitamin B12: For those … Read More »

While many of us struggle with how to eat less and lose weight, many older adults have the opposite problem. Age-related issues can make it difficult for seniors to eat enough to maintain proper health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides some solutions to help seniors overcome common eating problems, such as:

Chewing problems: For seniors who cannot chew food well, meats and fresh fruits and vegetables can be a problem. The FDA suggests the following substitutions:

Instead of fresh fruit, try fruit juice, apple sauce, or canned peaches and pears.
Instead of raw vegetables, try vegetable juices or mashed and cooked vegetables.
Instead of large pieces of meat, try ground meat, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products.
Instead of sliced bread, try cooked cereals, rice, bread pudding and soft cookies.

Upset stomach: Too much gas and other stomach problems may cause people … Read More »

In our previous blog post, we talked about how the new MyPlate for Older Adults nutritional model reflects the dietary needs of today’s seniors. MyPlate for Older Adults provides guidance on the types of foods that could provide nutritional benefits to adults 65 and over, but it’s also important for seniors to find a balance of meeting the same nutrient needs as when they were younger, yet consume fewer calories. The following are some tips to help seniors meet their nutrient needs, while staying within their caloric limits:

Drink low-fat milk: Low-fat milk is more nutrient-dense than higher fat milk. Its nutrient content is the same, but it has fewer calories because it has less fat.
Get steamy: Steaming is the best way to cook vegetables because it preserves nutrients. Boiling leaches nutrients from vegetables, but the leftover cooking water can be … Read More »

Everyone knows that a healthy diet is essential for a healthy body. What many people don’t realize however is that, as you age, your dietary needs change.  Researchers at Tufts University have developed the MyPlate formula, an upgrade on the old food pyramid, which provides updated and improved nutrition advice for people age 65 and over.

The MyPlate for Older Adults model emphasizes the importance of foods that are high in vitamins and minerals and low in fat, salt and sugar; however, it also includes guidance regarding recommended regular physical activities and fluid intake, components that are of particular concern for older adults.

Due to decreased activity, older adults tend to need fewer calories as they age, but their bodies still require the same or higher levels of nutrients and regular activity for optimal health. MyPlate for Older Adults recommends focusing nutrition … Read More »