Question

Matthew is now 85 years old. He does not have a good appetite and has trouble chewing his food. Matthew’s daughter is concerned about his nutritional intake. Identify three nutrients that you would discuss with Matthew’s daughter that are often lacking in older adults’ diets and explain why they are lacking. Provide Matthew’s daughter with one example of a food Matthew could eat for each nutrient that you discuss with her.

Answer 1

Three nutrients that I would discuss with Matthew’s daughter that is often lacking in older adults’ diets are;

The aging skin is less capable than younger skin to change sunlight to the vitamin D. That, leads to decreased body's ability to absorb calcium. Vitamin B-12, as after 50, years our body's ability to absorb the vitamin often decreases as our body doesn’t have as much stomach acid, which is required to break B-12 down from food sources. Food that Matthew could eat for each nutrient include; Vitamin D-fortified low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt will provide the vitamin D and calcium. Fortified cereal, lean meat and some fish and seafood can be used for vitamin B12.