5 Tips For Seniors To Shop Healthy

As you get older, nutrition becomes more important. Your dietary needs and preferences may also change. Many seniors have the added challenge of budgeting groceries on a fixed income after retirement. Whether you are a senior yourself or an in-home caregiver shopping for elderly loved ones, these five tips will help you make the most out of your next grocery shopping trip.

Shop the Rainbow

Seniors should incorporate at least five servings of fruits and vegetables into their diet every day. Because different colors of fruits and vegetables contain different nutrients, choosing a variety of colors is an easy way to ensure a nutritionally complete diet. Fill your cart with all the colors you can find in the produce aisle, such as green kale, red apples, orange carrots, white cauliflower and purple cabbage.

Choose Frozen Vegetables and Fruits

Frozen fruits and vegetables have the same nutritional value as their fresh counterparts at a fraction of the price. They last a long time too, which makes them great for seniors who can't get out often. Freezing alters the texture of most fruits and vegetables, so cook or puree them for best results. Try streaming frozen broccoli, roasting frozen green beans and making smoothies or pies with frozen fruit.

Fill Up With Fiber

Getting enough fiber in your diet is important for digestive health, blood sugar control and weight maintenance. Nuts, whole grains, fruits and vegetables are great sources. Steamed quinoa, plain popcorn, oatmeal and brown rice are high fiber foods that many seniors enjoy. Look for whole-grain, high-fiber versions of processed foods like pasta, granola bars and cereal.

Watch Out for Sugar and Sodium

Sugar and sodium are substances that seniors need to limit more than younger people. Excessive amounts of sugar contribute to diabetes, while too much sodium causes hypertension and dehydration. The American Heart Association recommends keeping sodium intake below 1500 milligrams per day, and consumption of added sugar below five teaspoons per day for women or nine teaspoons per day for men.

Use Delivery or Pick-Up Services

Getting around a grocery store is difficult for many seniors, and it can be hard to focus on choosing healthy foods when you are tired or sore. Using a grocery delivery or pick-up service allows you to choose your groceries in the comfort of your home. Many stores offer these services, and some communities have programs where volunteers deliver groceries to seniors for free.

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