WATCH: A new series of local online videos may soon be able to help seniors with their nutrition. Su-Ling Goh explains.
EDMONTON — The Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network is shooting a series of online videos to help seniors maintain a balanced diet.
The series will feature registered dietitians cooking with a senior and talking about topics like preparing quick and healthy meals on a budget, choosing supplements and bowel management.
“We really want to give very general information today so people can maybe consider aspects of their diet that have maybe slipped over the years,” says registered dietitian Julia MacLaren.
The intent of the videos is to educate seniors about small changes to their nutrition that can have a big impact on their quality of life.
“Little small achievable things that they can do, small little changes that they can make to their prep, to their food process that will really have that will really have that nutritional impact that they’re looking for,” says MacLaren.
Some of the recommendations for seniors including getting enough protein, fibre, and iron in their diet.
However, there are numerous factors that can hinder a senior’s nutrition, according to MacLaren , like reduced mobility making it harder to get to the grocery store, less cooking if a senior doesn’t live with family and a change in appetite due to medication.
“There are two ends of the spectrum. Some people are more on the failure to thrive end, where they’re not getting enough of what they need,” explains McLaren.
“Other people may be getting enough calories and maybe maintaining or even having excess weight, but nutrition-wise we still want to look at those micro-nutrients and be sure that they’re getting the diversity and balance that they need.”
Budgeting on a fixed income is another issue for seniors. The recommendation is it’s less expensive to buy ingredients in bulk, and prepare big batches that may last a week – rather than one meal at a restaurant.
The new videos won’t be posted for a few months yet – but you can still visit the Edmonton Southside PCN’s YouTube channel for various nutrition and fitness tips.
With files from Su-Ling Goh, Global News
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