The importance of eating a balanced diet for overall well-being increases with age. Fiber is one dietary element for seniors that frequently doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. In addition to being essential for heart and digestive health, fiber also helps manage some chronic conditions, like diabetes. Both companion care at home providers and loved ones can work together to ensure seniors understand the benefits of fiber and get enough of it in their diets.

Companion Care at Home Madera CA – The Role of Fiber in Senior Nutrition

Why Fiber Is Important for Seniors

In contrast to other carbohydrates, which are broken down into sugar molecules, fiber is absorbed by the body undigested and helps control blood sugar, appetite, and more.

The benefits of adding more fiber to the diet include the following:

Promotes Digestive Health: With age, constipation and irregular bowel movements can increase. Fiber makes stools more substantial and encourages regularity, which helps the digestive tract function more efficiently.

Blood Sugar Management: Fiber is a useful ally for seniors with diabetes. Foods high in soluble fiber, such as beans and oats, help lower blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugar. By doing this, blood sugar spikes following meals may be avoided.

Promotes Heart Health and Lowers Cholesterol: Diets high in fiber have been associated with decreased LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. In the digestive tract, soluble fiber binds to cholesterol and helps excrete it from the body. This leads to a reduced risk of heart disease, which is especially crucial for seniors.

Promotes Weight Management: Foods high in fiber tend to be more filling, which promotes weight management. When seniors feel full, they’re less likely to overindulge or snack throughout the day.

How Much Fiber Is Needed?

For people over 50, the recommended daily consumption of fiber is approximately 21 grams for women and 30 grams for men. Many people, however, don’t fulfill this requirement, and that doesn’t necessarily change with age.

The good news is that companion care at home can help seniors reach this goal by helping them make a few dietary changes.

Start the Day with Fiber: Getting a decent dose of fiber throughout breakfast is a terrific idea. Seniors should select high-fiber whole-grain cereals, oatmeal, or bran flakes. For an added fiber boost, they can top them with sliced bananas or berries.

Opt for Whole Grains: Whole grains are the best option when it comes to grains. Whole-grain alternatives such as brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta, and whole wheat bread should be substituted for refined grains like white bread, white rice, and standard pasta.

Increase Fruit and Vegetable Intake: Increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables is a simple way to raise a senior’s fiber levels because they are naturally abundant in them. Also, companion care at home can help them come up with creative ways to add them, as well as fun and new ways to cook them if needed.

Fiber is an essential part of a senior’s diet since it has several health benefits, including regulating blood sugar, decreasing cholesterol, and promoting digestive health. Companion care at home can help seniors take advantage of these benefits by helping them add fiber to their diet each day.

Sources: https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/nutrition/Nutrition-Needs_Fiber_FINAL-2.19-FINAL_508.pdf
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/increased-fiber-important-older-adults
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983

If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in Madera CA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Everlight Home Care today. Call us at 559-353-2847.

Private Duty Home Care in Fresno, Madera, Kern Counties, and surrounding communities. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Gina Kendall

Gina Kendall has over 25 years of work experience serving the aging and the disabled. Her extensive experience in care and management began as a Social Services Coordinator in skilled nursing facilities. While working in this capacity, she became aware of the need for, and the importance of, good, quality, home care. Gina worked with families to keep their loved ones home and avoid a return visit to the hospital. As she continued her career of service, she began working with the disabled population helping to expand and improve their independence throughout all aspects of life.

This combination of experiences has afforded Gina a unique view of the needs of the aging and the disabled and how to best serve those needs in a home setting.

Gina’s Central Valley roots run deep. She earned her BA degree from Fresno State in 1993 and has lived and worked in Fresno for the past 20 years. In addition to raising her family in Fresno, she is actively involved in her local church and is a volunteer for various local community organizations.

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