Nutrition Advice for Staying Healthy on a Restricted Diet Dr. David J. Demko, gerontologist and editor, AgeVenture News Service, Boca Raton, Florida 07-26-07

Food? Just how important is it? Well, since even condemned prisoners are afforded the opportunity to select the food for their "last meal," I would say that the topic of "food" is essential to the human experience. Frankly, if I were a condemned prisoner, the last thing I would be worrying about is what the warden serves for dessert. But, that's another story. Suffice it to say that food is one of the cornerstones of living a quality life. A little food for thought. Growing older can often mean coping with a number of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that can require a patient to maintain a strict diet. These illnesses coupled with the natural aging process can cause changes in diet regimen and appetite. Marie Bernard, M.D., member of the American Geriatrics Society, says that as people age, it's normal to experience a decline in appetite. "When we grow older, our bodies have a decline in muscle mass that affects nutritional intake, and we experience changes in the acuity of our senses. For example, some patients will experience a decline in the ability to smell things, or some will begin to notice changes in their taste buds, both of which affect taste and ultimately affect our eating habits.? Additionally, Dr. Bernard says that psychological changes can also have an impact on a person's desire to eat. The stress of managing chronic conditions, medications, strict diets and other life circumstances can lead to feelings of depression and isolation, which can also contribute to a loss of appetite. To help aging adults stay healthy while eating a restricted or limited diet, Dr. Bernard offers the following advice: Don't skip meals. Even with a small appetite, it's important to consume at least two healthy meals per day. When creating a meal, the food plate should consist of two servings of vegetables, three ounces of chicken, fish, or lean meat, and one serving of whole grains. Don't eat the wrong foods. When living with a chronic health issue, it's important to avoid eating habits that can worsen a condition such as GERD. Avoid eating too late in the evening as this can aggravate the digestive system when it's time for bed. Diabetics, don't eat concentrated sources of sugar, such as cookies, cakes or other pastries that can severely affect the amount of sugar found in the blood. Congestive heart failure, beware of prepared, canned or frozen foods, which often contain hidden sources of salt. Get some exercise. Physical activity is not only good for the mind and muscle, but it also stimulates the appetite. Activities such as walking, running, gardening, cycling or swimming are all safe exercises at all ages to help jumpstart an appetite. Consult a geriatrician. A geriatric health specialist is uniquely trained to treat chronic conditions associated with aging. Working with a nutritionist as well as a geriatrician can help devise a menu that adheres to a patient's health needs. Want to learn more? Consult the following government web sites. National Institute on Senior Health at: nihseniorhealth.gov National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive Disorders at: www2.niddk.nih.gov U.S. Department of Agriculture's Healthy Eating Index at: www.cnpp.usda.gov/HealthyEatingIndex.htm

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