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Having one too many in-between-meal snacks might be commonly associated with an unhealthy diet and weight gain. But for the elderly, munching on healthy snacks can be beneficial in ensuring they get enough of the calories needed in their daily dietary intake.
In a study of 2,000 elderly participants aged 65 and older published in the Journal of American Dietetic Association, researchers at Auburn University found that participants who snacked frequently ate about 250 calories more and had a higher protein, carbohydrate and fat intake, compared to those who ate only three square meals a day.
And when the three meals an elderly person eats do not contain the sufficient nutrients and calories needed to meet their daily requirements, their health suffers.
According to dietitian Yvonne Ban of Alexandra Hospital, the elderly are often found to be nutrient-deficient a common condition among this demographic for a number of reasons.
The elderly tend to consume less food. This is usually due to factors like poor dentition, immobility, lack of financial support, altered taste and decrease in appetite or memory problems, she said.
The researchers of the Auburn University study noted that, on average, 70-year-old men ate 1,000 to 1,200 fewer calories than 25-year-old males while elderly women ate 600 to 800 less calories than their younger counterparts.
Study results also revealed that the elderly who snacked on food in addition to their regular meals were less prone to suffering from poor nutrition and weight loss.
However, not all snacks are good. Ms Ban describes a healthy, nutritious snack as one that is nutrient-dense, that is, packed with more nutrients than calories.
High-protein and high-energy snacks such as fruity bread or red bean soup eaten mid- morning or mid-afternoon, are recommended over empty-calorie ones such as cookies and cakes.
Apart from snacking, Ms Ban also suggests serving food in smaller portions to make it more appetizing and not as intimidating to finish, in order to boost food intake in the elderly. A smaller serving is less daunting than, say, a big plate of rice with vegetables, soup and meat, she said.
To stimulate the taste buds of the elderly, it is also best to maximise their enjoyment of food through their senses. Hence, the visual presentation of a meal is important.
Having different textures and smells present in a meal contribute to making food more appealing and palatable. - TODAY/ym
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