A healthy diet makes for a healthy life, when coupled with a
regular exercise routine and adequate sleep. While we may be at ease
consuming a variety of healthy foods at a young age, our bodies are
subject to change as we grow older, therefore making certain seemingly
healthy foods less compatible to our health. Most often, we ignore the
impact that age has on our ability to process certain foods, thus
affecting our physiological functioning in the long run.
As the
years roll by, our organs slowly begin to lose their agile repairing
power, making recovery from the effects of certain foods quite taxing on
our health. While we may think that healthy foods suit all age groups,
this does not hold true in several cases. Therefore it is best to be
wary of these six healthy foods that the elderly should not eat, in
order to avoid health implications in ourselves and our elderly loved
ones.
1. Raw eggs and foods that contain undercooked eggs:
Eggs
are considered to be a superbly rich source of protein and other
nutrients. Several people in their 20s to 40s consume raw egg as part of
their high-protein diet, especially if they indulge in workouts that
aim to add more muscle mass. Similarly, several people consume foods
such as unpasteurized eggnog, French toast, desserts like tiramisu and
so on that contain undercooked eggs. These foods are a big no-no for the
elderly! This is because raw eggs may contain Salmonella bacteria, both
on the outside and the inside of eggs, causing illnesses such as food
poisoning.
2. Raw sprouts:
Of course,
sprouts are a delicious source of nutrition, vitamins, minerals and
other health-vital nutrients. Bean sprouts, raw green gram, broccoli,
alfalfa are some of the renowned sprouts known for their nutritional
value, especially when consumed raw. However, the elderly must avoid raw
sprouts as they can be a breeding hub for germs, especially the
Salmonella, E. coli, which can cause serious illnesses that the elderly
find difficult to recuperate from.
3. Soft cheeses:
Dairy
and dairy derivatives are excellent sources of calcium, an essential
mineral at every stage of life. However, soft cheeses such as
blue-veined cheeses, Camembert, Brie, Buchette and so on can house
bacteria and food poisoning bugs that can cause listeria, making them
highly unsuitable for the elderly to consume. Cooked soft cheeses are
fine for consumption, because the heat kills bacteria.
4. Unpasteurized milk:
Raw,
unpasteurized milk is an absolute must-avoid food for the elderly.
Unpasteurized milk contains bacteria and protozoa that can cause
diseases such as brucellosis, listeriosis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever
and diphtheria, among others. These bacteria can only be killed through
pasteurization or heating of milk to a certain temperature for a set
period of time. To gain requisite calcium to prevent osteoporosis and
other age-related bone illnesses, one can consume plant sources of
calcium as well as tofu, cooked broccoli, almonds and kale.
5. Rare and cold meats:
While
we may prefer our steaks or burger patties to be rare or medium-rare,
the elderly cannot take the gamble with their health by consuming raw or
rare meats, especially if they are ground. The process of grinding meat
can introduce potentially harmful germs and bacteria, such as
Salmonella, E. coli, to the meat, which can result in serious illness
and sometimes even death.
6. Raw sea food:
Sushi,
sashimi, ceviche and the like are delicious, no doubt; however, they
fall under the list of foods that elderly ought to avoid. Raw or
undercooked seafood can contain bacteria, germs and potentially harmful
toxins, that do not get killed our flushed out due to lack of heat being
introduced into the sea food. Raw fish, clams, oysters and mussels are
to be strictly avoided.
As we age, our bodies become older, but
our minds become wiser. Let us indulge our wise elderly with the right
foods for a healthy life. Fresh fruit, leafy vegetables, cooked fish,
and nuts containing omega 3 fatty acids help to reduce the risk of
Alzheimer's disease. Cutting down on red meat and processed meats,
replacing them with cooked fish, pasteurized dairy and dairy products,
and plant protein can have a positive health impact. Whole fruits,
berries and melons can be consumed in place of juices, for adequate
fibre and vitamin supply. Whole grain foods are great sources of energy
and carbohydrates - this works great for all age groups!
