The Importance of Keeping Track of Your Nutrition as You Age

Experts say people who don’t meticulously track their food intake often eat one and a half times more than they think they do.

It’s easy to underestimate how much you consume. We often mindlessly reach into a bag of chips or prepare portions that are larger than what we intended. Over time, though, those extra calories can add up and lead to common medical problems linked to carrying too much weight.

However, it’s equally as difficult to ensure we get enough of the nutritional necessities we need like protein, calcium and even water ­— or to be certain we don’t get too much of things like salt, caffeine, fat and carbohydrates. Especially when it comes to senior citizens who have memory issues like dementia.

So, what do we do when our senior loved ones are told by their doctor that they need to watch what they eat?

Fortunately, nutrition tracking is easier than ever, thanks to modern technology. Apps available on our smart phones make it simple to enter the items we eat, then they do the rest, keeping a daily running tally of calories, macronutrients, vitamins and minerals. These top nutrition apps let you know when you hit your goals or when you’re nearing your limits.

Top Nutrition Tracking Apps:

My Fitness Pal

It’s one of the top nutrition apps available due to its simplicity of use and comprehensive coverage. While My Fitness Pal offers a subscription service with some additional features, including the ability to scan bar codes on prepackaged food items to more easily log them, the free version is more than adequate for the needs of the vast majority of people. It has an extensive database of food items ranging from individual ingredients that comprise home cooked meals to specifics offered at restaurants across the spectrum.

Waterlogged

Dehydration is something to be concerned about for people of all ages. But it can be especially important to ensure the elderly consume enough water. Not only do seniors have less tolerance for dehydration than their younger counterparts, but conditions such as dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease) can cause them to forget to drink when they’re supposed to or to lose track of how much water they’ve had throughout the day. Checking in with Waterlogged reminds them about the amount of water they’ve had and how much more they need with easy-to-follow progress charts, and it will give them a reminder when it’s time for more.

Yummly

One of the main reasons our senior loved ones, especially the ones who live alone, don’t keep track of their diets as well as they did in the past is because they have no one to cook for. They’ll tell you it’s not worth the mess and the hassle of fixing a meal for one – or even two – with their kids out of the house. So, they resort to fast food, prepackaged meals or, sometimes, they just don’t eat meals at all. They’ll either snack all day or skip meals altogether. The Yummly application can inspire them to create their own meals again with more than 2 million recipes stored in its digital database. Want something simple? Search for an easy to fix dinner. Only have a few things in the pantry? Type in the ingredients you have, and it will tell you what you can whip up with them. It also can suggest meals for people with allergies and dietary restrictions in seconds.

Shopwell

Grocery shopping can be overwhelming for a senior, especially one with mobility issues, because the stores are large and spread out, making it tough to seek out what you’re looking for. Trying to find allergy friendly, low sodium or other specialty items can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. That’s where the Shopwell application comes in. It can be your compass, leading you to specific products that fit a senior’s dietary needs. Shopwell helps simplify nutrition labels for you and find products that meet your requirements. The app provides personalized nutrition scores when you create your comprehensive food profile that includes your dietary goals, health concerns, allergies and foods you dislike.

Creating Healthier Habits

Armed with these electronic helpers, your senior loved one can live a healthier, higher quality life. But when they’re ready for a higher level of care, Bethesda is there to ensure all their needs are met. Our assisted living residences offer exceptional dining options including restaurant quality meals. Meanwhile, our caring staff is there to ensure all their nutritional needs are met 365 days a year. To learn more, contact us today for details.

Discover new ways to stay healthy as you age on Bethesda’s Health & Wellness blog!