Diet is an essential part of health and a healthy diet combined with regular exercise can do wonders for our health as we age. While there are plenty of foods marketed as superfoods promising numerous benefits, some of these foods might not be the best for anyone older than the age of 60 to consume.
Among the list, many healthy but raw foods may contain high levels of bacteria and may cause food poisoning. As we get on in age, food poisoning can be serious and may impact health more intensely.
These are just some foods that older people might like to avoid. Food is meant to be enjoyed and changing a diet doesn’t mean that we have to be miserable. Even without these foods, there are still plenty of nutritious and delicious ingredients out there to add to our food for a healthy diet as they age.
Raw Meat/Raw Shellfish/Sushi
Dishes like Carpaccio, tartare, sushi and raw oysters are delicious but should generally be avoided by older individuals. These raw items may contain high levels of bacteria that have not been killed off by the cooking process and while our bodies may be able to process them without much fuss while we’re younger, these bacteria might cause serious illness when we’re older.
Sprouts
Raw, edible sprouts such as alfalfa sprouts or broccoli sprouts may boast effects such as lowering your blood sugar and providing some much-needed nutrients to your diet. However, they also breed bacteria like E-coli or salmonella. Consuming contaminated seeds can cause seniors to become ill and lead to conditions like pneumonia. If you want to get the nutrition that you get from eating sprouts, there are plenty of other vegetables to add to your diet like spinach, swiss chard, and kale.
Soft Cheeses and Unpasteurized Milk
Unpasteurized milk and unpasteurized soft cheeses like brie or camembert can contain high amounts of bacteria. This is because they aren’t super-heated like pasteurized milk to kill off any bacteria to ensure that it is safe for consumption. While you should stay away from these items, it’s important that you get enough dairy and calcium from other foods in your diet.
Multigrain Bread and Low-Fat Products
Fret not, multigrain bread and low-fat products are still good to consume. However, it’s best to check the label before you make a purchase to make sure that the companies are not adding refined flours or extra sugar to maintain the taste so that they can market these products as “healthy” when they are not.
Foods High in Sodium
If you have a history of hypertension then you should stay away from foods that are too salty. If you desire more flavor in your food, you can add a variety of spices and herbs to replace salt. Similar to multigrain bread and low-fat products, you should check the nutritional label of the products you are buying to make sure you are not taking excessive amounts of salt from the foods you consume.
This list may help you understand why we should avoid certain foods when we age but before you start adding any replacements to make up for the loss, you should consider any medical conditions you may have and consult your doctor or dietician for a diet that suits you best.
