Gold Crest Care Center offers key tips on proper nutrition for seniors

Gold Crest Care Center, a trusted NYC nursing home, urges senior citizens and their families to learn the basics of proper nutrition for senior citizens. The nursing facility's staff has created a short list of key tips for families and seniors looking to improve their mental and physical health through dietary changes. Families in need of additional nutritional counseling are urged to visit the facility's website to schedule a consultation with a board certified physician.

"As we age, our bodies change. The dietary needs that sustained us in our 40s no longer suffice as we hit our 70s and 80s. Staying mentally and physically healthy requires a multifold approach and too many seniors overlook the need for nutritional counseling. Our board certified physicians have banded together to compile key tips for senior citizens looking to improve their diet and maintain their health," says Michael Salamon of Gold Crest Care Center.

The Bronx nursing home staff has compiled a list of five foods every senior citizen needs to incorporate daily.

• Fruit: Seniors should be getting at least 1 ½ servings of fruit a day, as a bare minimum. Fruit servings should not take the form of juices! By opting for juices instead of the actual fruit, seniors are missing out on more than half the needed fiber and vitamins.
• Vegetables: Seniors should opt for vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. These include dark, leafy greens like kale and spinach, as well as orange and yellow vegetables such as carrots and squash. Two to three cups of vegetables daily is the general guideline for seniors.
• Calcium: Bone health is a serious concern in aging patients. Maintaining strong bones depends on calcium. Seniors require 1,200mg of calcium a day. This can be achieved through milk, yogurts and cheeses. Patients with a dairy allergy can opt for tofu, broccoli and almonds.
• Grains: To maximize fiber intake, choose whole grains over processed white flour. Seniors need between six and seven ounces of grains a day. One slice of whole grain bread is equal to one ounce of grains.
• Protein: Seniors should aim for 1 to 1 ½ grams of protein for every 2.2lbs of body weight. Protein sources should be divided throughout the various meals. Each meal should contain between 25 and 40 grams of protein, anything less won't assist in bone and muscle health. Protein sources include fish, beans, peas, eggs, nuts and seeds.

SOURCE Gold Crest Care Center