Have you noticed how our taste preferences and sensations change with time? We get used to smells, textures, and flavors only to wake up one day and discover that their place is taken by others seemingly overnight.
I started life as a picky eater with a poor appetite. But looking back, I feel now that perhaps my body instinctively knew what was good for me from an early age. I used to dislike fatty meats, oily dishes, a lot of baked goods, and overly sweet desserts.
Growing up taught me that eating can be a pleasure, not only a necessity. Exploring the cuisines of the world, I’ve discovered I very much enjoy spicy, hot, sweet, and sour flavors.
The more my taste buds were getting used to unknown piquancies, the more I craved experiencing those. Then, I was diagnosed with fat malabsorption, which essentially means that my body can’t digest oils effectively. I had to go on a restrictive diet and avoid overly fatty foods for the rest of my life if I didn’t want to be on medication forever.
That is when I learned of Ensure products. Ensure is a brand of nutritional supplements that comes in the form of powder, drinks, and energy bars. It is primarily known for its line of meal replacement shakes and drinks geared toward seniors.
Ensure products are designed to provide essential nutrients and calories, often used to supplement the diets of the elderly who may have difficulty meeting their nutritional needs through regular food alone.
Ensure answers some specific seniors’ nutritional needs and can be helpful in various ways.
A lot of seniors may experience unintentional weight loss or have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight due to factors such as reduced appetite, dental problems, or medical conditions. Ensure can help provide extra calories and protein to support weight gain or maintenance.
Ensure products are typically fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, calcium, and potassium, which are important for maintaining bone health and overall well-being. These supplements can help fill nutrient gaps in seniors’ diets.
As people age, their protein requirements increase to support muscle maintenance and repair. Ensure products often contain protein sources, such as whey or soy protein, to help seniors meet their protein needs.
Some seniors may have reduced appetite, making it challenging to consume enough nutrients. Ensure products can be a convenient and tasty way to provide necessary nutrients and encourage appetite.
Ensure products come in various flavors and formulas, such as ready-to-drink shakes, powders, and bars. They are easy to store and consume, making them a convenient option for seniors who have limited mobility or difficulty preparing meals.
Certain medical conditions, such as malabsorption disorders or cancer can negatively affect nutrient absorption. Seniors suffering from such conditions have an increased nutrient requirement. Ensure may come in handy to enable adequate nutrition in such cases.
Senior patients recovering from surgery or illness may have increased nutritional needs to support healing and immune function. Ensure can help bridge the nutritional gap during their recovery.
While Ensure can be beneficial for addressing specific nutritional needs you or your elderly loved one have, it should not replace a balanced diet whenever possible.
A well-rounded diet consisting of a variety of foods is the best way to provide comprehensive nutrition at any age.
Your first choice should always be a consultation with your healthcare professional or nutritionist to determine the appropriate use of nutritional supplements like Ensure based on your health and dietary needs.
Seniors may need vastly different foods depending on factors such as age, gender, activity level, and overall health. However, generally speaking, the diet of all older adults should be adjusted to cover the following:
With age, we tend to need fewer calories as our metabolic rate and activity level slow down. Therefore, seniors should focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods to meet their energy needs without ingesting excessive calories.
Protein is crucial for keeping muscle mass and strength. Older adults need their strength if they want to stay mobile and healthy. They should aim to include good sources of protein in their diet, such as lean meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, legumes, and tofu.
Fiber helps with digestion, maintains bowel regularity, and can help manage good cholesterol levels. Foods high in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, should continue to be a big part of seniors’ diets.
These play a vital role in bone health; as we age, we are at an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Dairy products, fortified foods, leafy greens, and supplements can help meet the calcium and vitamin D needs of older adults
Seniors should pay attention to vitamin B12, as it is very common to have deficits of this vitamin due to reduced absorption with age. They should also check levels of potassium and magnesium regularly. A well-balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables can help meet these needs.
It is not uncommon for seniors to have reduced thirst perception. This can make them prone to dehydration. It’s extremely important to drink enough water and consume hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables.
Fats from good sources like avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) are beneficial for heart and brain health. They stimulate the accumulation of good cholesterol (HDL), which is important for regulating the level of unhealthy cholesterol (LDL) in the blood.
Many seniors are advised to limit sodium intake to help manage blood pressure. This involves reducing the consumption of processed foods, canned soups, and salty snacks.
Iron needs can decrease with age, especially for post-menopausal women. Red meat, poultry, fish, and fortified cereals are good sources of iron.
Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables and some ‘superfoods’ can help protect against oxidative stress and age-related diseases.
Some seniors may have specific dietary needs due to medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or food allergies. These should be taken into account when planning meals.
Often, older adults face challenges with appetite due to reduced taste perception, dental problems, or side effects from medication. Preparing tasty and easy-to-chew foods can help.
Eating smaller but more frequent meals may be preferable for those with reduced appetites. Observing a routine is essential for supplying enough energy and hydration for the body.
It’s important to consult with healthcare professionals, such as registered dietitians or doctors, to assess seniors’ specific nutritional needs and address any underlying health conditions.
Ensure drinks geared towards seniors’ nutritional needs typically contain a combination of the following ingredients:
Milk or Whey Protein Concentrate – It provides a source of high-quality protein, typically derived from cow’s milk.
Soy Protein Isolate – Another protein source often used in lactose-free or dairy-free variants.
Amino acids – Nine essential amino acids that promote muscle building are selected and supplied via the protein content.
Vitamins – Ensure products are typically fortified with a range of vitamins.
Minerals – Calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper, sodium, and iron sulfates are minerals included in Ensure content in optimal quantities.
It’s important to note that Ensure offers a variety of products designed for specific dietary needs, such as Ensure Plus, Ensure High Protein, Ensure Enlive, and Ensure Clear.
These products may have slightly different ingredient profiles to meet different nutritional requirements.
Additionally, Ensure also offers specific formulations for individuals with diabetes, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, and other dietary restrictions.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date information on the ingredients of a particular Ensure product, you should refer to the product’s packaging or contact the manufacturer directly.
As our nutritional needs, preferences, and taste receptors change with time, we need to adapt our dietary habits.
Overall, maintaining a well-balanced diet, staying hydrated, and adjusting to individual needs and preferences are key to meeting the nutrition needs of your beloved older adult.
Using Ensure products not as a substitute for a whole meal but as a snack between meals or as an additional meal rich in valuable nutrients can benefit your or your loved one’s diet.
Regular monitoring of nutritional status and consultation with healthcare providers can help ensure optimal health and well-being.
If you would like to reach out to a dietitian or nutritional specialist, please contact Amy’s Eden or call us at (775) 884-3336. We work with top-notch professionals in this field who would be happy to answer your questions and give you tailored advice.
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