MEAL PLANNING AND SHOPPING FOR OLDER

ADULTS

Home Skills Enhancement Project

Older Adults May Need Help

• Shopping

• Transportation

• Telephone use

• Preparation of meals

• Taking medications

• Managing money

• Cleaning, laundry

Dietary Guidelines 2005

• 2 cups of fruit, 2 ½ cups vegetables

• Meat/Protein-5.5 oz. per day

• Grains-6 servings, 3 whole grain

• Milk products-3 servings

• Fats-20-30% of calories

• Salt-less than 2300 mg or 1 tsp.

• Limit sugar to 4 grams = 1 tsp.

Body Composition and Aging

• Lean body mass decreases

• More fat and less water

• Thinning of limbs, fat deposits in stomach

• Don’t need as many calories

• Immune system not as efficient

• Don’t get enough key nutrients

• Nutrient dense foods important

Older Adults May Not Get Proper Nutrition

• Diminished sense of taste and smell

• Decrease in amount of saliva

• Reduced sense of thirst

• Medications

• Depression, isolation

• Swallowing or dental problems

Factors that Contribute to Poor Nutrition

• Refuse Home Delivered Meals

• Does not want food stamps

• Chronic diseases

• Dementia

• Poor appetite

• Difficulty walking and standing

• Eating alone

Key Nutrients

• Calcium-keeps bones strong, in dairy products, canned salmon, green leafy vegetables, grains, beans, fortified OJ

• Vitamin D-helps body absorb calcium and phosphorus, salmon, sardines, fortified milk, some brands of margarine

• Folate-guard against heart disease, green leafy vegetables, fortified foods

More Key Nutrients

• Zinc-promote healthy immune system, in protein like meats, eggs, beans, nuts

• Protein-immune system, prevents muscle loss and promotes healing, in lentils, tofu, nuts, beans

• Water prevents constipation, fecal impactions, 6-8 glasses/day

• Fiber-bowel health

Improved Nutrition

• Regular exercise helps appetite

• Eat frequent, small meals

• Plan meals ahead of time

• Dried or fresh herbs

• Fluids, fiber

• Healthy frozen meals

• Flavor enhancers like Mrs. Dash

More On Improved Nutrition

• Home delivered meals, supper, frozen meals

• Food stamps or Commodity foods

• Congregate meals provide socialization

• If lack of appetite, should be evaluated by a doctor

• Nutritionally balanced drinks

Shopping Can Be A Challenge

• Mobility issues, unable to leave home

• Lack of transportation

• Frail or lack energy to do shopping

• Problems with vision, unable to locate food or read labels

• May not like the food selected by worker

• May not have enough money for groceries

Food Preference Checklist

What are food and meal preferences?

• Likes and dislikes

• Allergies

• Daily eating routine/ special diet?

• How well balanced are meals?

• How much food prep can they do?

• Budget/ supplies on hand

Meal Planning and Shopping

• Ask the person what they like to eat

• Ask if there are any meals planned

• Check supplies, don’t buy what you have

• Go over store specials

• Put foods in groups on list

• Pick up cold and frozen foods last

• Stick to your list

Shopping Strategies

• Avoid buying extras

• Shop weekly, only buy what is on the list

• Don’t go to the store hungry

• Plan for leftovers

• Check high and low shelves

• Wrap raw meats in plastic

• Pay attention at checkout

FRESHNESS DATES• Expiration date- end of product’s useful life

or last date it can be used

• Sell By date-breads and baked goods-the last day an item can be sold as fresh

• Best if Used By date- cereals and dry goods

• Packaged date- good 12-18 months after