Food Pyramid for Seniors Gets a Makeover
I’ve long disagreed with the food pyramids. Although I think their heart is in the right place, these government agency issued food guide pyramids are often misleading and don’t put enough emphasis on the importance of how foods are cooked, and what types of specific foods should be consumed in abundance and which should probably be minimized. They are very general, which may only confuse the general public further as to what’s really good for them, and in what amount.
Well, they may be trying to tweak a new food pyramid guide now directed especially for seniors, who do have slightly different dietary needs than younger Americans. Although the same foods should probably be eaten, I guess this new pyramid if more or less portioning them out a little differently. I’m not so sure about that either, since it also depends on other things like your level of activity, metabolism, and how foods are prepared.
What does the new food guide pyramid for seniors stress? Well, it stresses that they get more calcium fiber, and Vitamins A and D for one. These vitamins and nutrients do become more important as we age, so this I think is the correct message to send out regarding how seniors should modify their diets in any ways they can to maximize these nutrients.
Calcium is good because it strengthen bones at a time when bone density dwindles and many have problems with curvatures and other things with their bones breaking more easily and not being able to support themselves as well. As far as fiber goes, it’s more important to get fiber as we age because our colons and digestive and waste elimination systems naturally slow down, and we need all the help we can get keeping it healthy and cleansed as best we can. For a good product to speed up waste elimination and improve colon health see our Bowtrol review.
All in all, I think the new food pyramid guide for seniors is a good thing, however there are always also individual considerations to be taken into account when we figure out what kind of foods are best for our systems. Even with fiber, since many of us react differently to fiber levels being increased.
