What are the Best Foods for Seniors’ Gut Health?

By TenderHearted Home Care, LLC | December 26, 2023 |

Gut health is essential for people of all ages but becomes even more important with age. This is because digestion, nutrient intake, and gut function may change as people age, making eating a well-balanced diet that supports gut health more important than ever. Unfortunately, many seniors may struggle with this, especially if they are unsure what foods are best. Thankfully, with the help of 24-hour home care, they can get the help they need and learn to make educated food choices. Consider the list below that contains some of the best foods for keeping seniors’ digestive systems healthy.

Helping Seniors Make Better Food Choices

With 24-hour home care assistance, seniors can gain help with shopping for their food, prepping their food, and even cooking. But it all starts with meal planning to ensure they get the most beneficial foods possible.

Fiber-rich foods: Fiber is important for keeping seniors’ bowels moving regularly and avoiding constipation, a common problem among older people. They should be encouraged to eat a lot of fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, and nuts. Apples, berries, broccoli, carrots, brown rice, oats, beans, and almonds are all great choices.
Foods high in probiotics: Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep a healthy gut microbiome. They help digestion, make it easier to absorb nutrients, and boost the defense system. Fermented foods, like yogurt with live cultures, kefir, cabbage, kimchi, miso, and other fermented foods, are good for seniors to eat.
Prebiotic foods: Prebiotics are fibers that can’t be broken down by the body and feed the good bacteria in the gut. They help these excellent bacteria grow and do their jobs better. Garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, artichokes, and whole grains are all good sources of prebiotics.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids can help keep the gut healthy and reduce inflammation. Omega-3s can be found in fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, lentils, and walnut oil.
Bone broth: Animal bones and connective tissue are cooked on low heat to make bone broth. It has a lot of collagen, gelatin, and amino acids, which can help calm the digestive system and heal the gut. Seniors can make their bone broth with the help of 24-hour home care or buy high-quality bone broth from the shop.
Natural help: Ginger and peppermint have been used for a long time to help with stomach problems. They can help settle an upset stomach, ease indigestion, and reduce inflammation. Seniors can drink ginger or peppermint tea or put ginger in their food.
Plenty of fluids: Seniors need to drink enough water to keep the gut system healthy. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps keep their bowel movements regular and stops them from getting constipated. Seniors should try to drink at least eight cups of water, herbal teas, or clear broths daily. 24-hour home care can gently remind them to drink even when thirsty.

It’s important to remember that everyone has different dietary needs, and it’s always a good idea to talk to a healthcare worker or a registered dietitian who can give personalized advice based on specific health conditions and medications. With support from the 24-hour home care team and loved ones, they can follow whatever plan is created to ensure the best health.