The amount of energy you need depends on factors like age, height, and how active you are daily. Nutrition needs vary between genders too. Men usually need more calories than women, as they are larger and have a higher proportion of muscle. It also varies between the young and the elderly. When some of your family members grow old, their activity levels tend to drop, which leads them to lose muscle mass. As their caretaker, you should ensure they have their meals on time. Be sure they consume the right amount of nutrients and calories. Their diet should include fats, fibres, calcium, minerals, and vitamins. One way to track the calories your elders consume is to follow the recommended serving size for senior citizens.
Serving Sizes for Each Food Group
Mentioned below are the five essential food groups and their suggested serving sizes. Remember to cook and serve your senior members of the family the following nutritional foods for their every meal.
Vegetables
Every meal your elder consumes should be 100 to 350 kilojoules or 75 grams of vegetables. You can serve them half a cup of cooked green vegetables or half a cup of cooked beans or lentils.
Fruits
A senior’s meals should include fruits. A standard serving of 350 kilojoules or 150 grams is recommended. Ensure they eat whole fruit and don’t consume fruit juice as a replacement. A medium size apple or banana should be about 150 grams.
Grain Foods
You must include 500 kilojoules of grain foods, like cereals and legumes, in your older family members’ meals. You can serve them half a cup of cooked porridge or one slice of bread. While choosing from the grain category, ensure that at least two-thirds of the choices are whole-grain varieties.
Meat and Poultry
An older person’s meal should comprise 500 to 600 kilojoules of a standard serving of any combination of lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, or tofu. For example, you can cook two large eggs or 65 grams of cooked lean red meats.
Dairy Products
A senior citizen’s standard meal should consist of about 500 to 600 kilojoules of milk, yogurt, cheese, or other dairy alternatives. For example, their diet should include a cup of milk or 3/4 cup of yogurt.
Here at Cherokee Angel Senior Care and Training Center, we take special care of your elderly loved ones. Our experienced and professional staff help create a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere, providing the best care for your seniors. Contact us today.