Following a nutritious, balanced diet is important for everyone. But for older people with dementia, eating the right foods – and avoiding the wrong ones – can make a real difference to their overall health and happiness.
To stay healthy and fight off illnesses, the brain and the body need to get all the right nutrients. Dementia can make this difficult, as people may forget or struggle to eat – or forget they’ve already had a meal and eat too much with the next one.
This can lead to people becoming malnourished, which can cause people with dementia to feel more confused, and make them susceptible to other health issues. To stay happy and healthy for as long as possible, there are three key foods people with dementia should avoid:
1. Sugary foods
Eating sweet things, such as cakes and pastries, causes a quick rise and fall in energy levels, and can make you feel suddenly tired. For people with dementia, rapid changes in energy levels can increase mood swings.
2. Saturated fat
Eating meals that contain lots of saturated fat, including dairy products and fatty and processed meats, can cause people to gain weight. Obesity can also increase the risk of developing additional health problems such as diabetes.
3. Foods with high levels of salt
Adults should eat no more than six grams of salt per day, as eating more can lead to high blood pressure – a major cause of heart disease and strokes. Many processed foods – such as cheese and sausages – are high in salt, and should only be eaten occasionally.
Eating right – how Oakhouse Foods can help
Preparing healthy meals from scratch can be too challenging or time consuming for many older people, particularly those with dementia. To support independent living, and help carers with nutritional management, we offer a wide range of home delivered meals made with wholesome, nutritious ingredients.
Mealtimes made simple
Avoiding certain ingredients shouldn’t mean people can’t enjoy a wide variety of dishes. That’s why our range of over 300 frozen ready meals and desserts includes options for those on special diets, including low salt, low sugar, low fat and gluten free. Choice is also hugely important for stimulating appetite, especially for those who have difficulty eating.
To find the right meals for a variety of dietary needs, browse our website, or order our handy free from lists. If you’d like more information give us a call on 0845 643 2009 and we’ll be happy to help.