By Anne-Marie Botek, AgingCare.com Editor. The varied health
concerns of seniors can make it difficult for caregivers to know
how to manage their elderly loved one’s diet. Is it normal for a
senior to lose their appetite or weight for no obvious reason?
What combination of vitamins and minerals does a senior really
need? Are supplements safe? Ruth Frechman, M.A., a registered
dietician and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics, debunks some common myths about senior nutrition and
offers advice for caregivers: 1. “A senior can eat whatever they
want.” Frechman feels that this misconception tops the list as
one of the most common senior nutrition myths. “Proper nutrition
is important at any age—how you eat affects how you age,” she
says. The key for seniors, according to the National Institutes
of Health (NIH), is to look for foods that are low in calories,
but high in nutrients. This includes: fruits, veggies, whole
grains, lean sources of protein (fish, poultry beans, nuts) 2.
“A senior’s nut