Healthy eating for mental wellness

We all know the foods we eat have an effect on every part of the body. A balanced, nutritious diet provides you with energy for physical activity but also promotes cognitive function, a healthy sleep schedule and better control over your emotions. Poor eating habits can lead to mental and physical weariness, difficulty remembering and trouble concentrating. That’s why proper nutrition is essential for people with Alzheimer’s disease and why Aegis Living makes it a focus. Learn about how good nutrition can promote mental function in people with Alzheimer’s and how Aegis Living provides seniors with healthy and appetizing meals.

Nutrition and the Alzheimer’s brain

People with Alzheimer’s often have trouble maintaining good nutrition. Some simply don’t remember to eat according to a healthy diet, while others may forget that they have already eaten and end up consuming too many calories. Additionally, as cognitive function declines, it can become more difficult to choose the right foods due to the overwhelming number of options, and medications can also cause a loss of appetite. But poor nutrition in people with Alzheimer’s disease can augment the behavioral symptoms, worsening memory, concentration and emotional control. It can even lead to weight loss that leaves the senior frail and low on energy.

A diet that is good for the Alzheimer’s brain is one that keeps the heart healthy, thereby encouraging blood flow throughout the body and to the brain. It should also provide the brain with the right balance of nutrients, including sugar (not too much or too little), protein and vitamins, so that it can function at its full capacity. Aegis Living fights poor nutrition by following guidelines for an eating regimen that benefits the gray matter. A proper diet should:

• Include a variety of foods from all the food groups. Daily meals should have a colorful array of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and dairy products that are low in fat. This ensures that the brain receives a diversity of vitamins and nutrients – according to the Alzheimer’s Association, research has suggested that vitamins E, C, B12 and folate may be effective in lowering the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
• Be low in cholesterol and saturated fats. While some fat is necessary for staying energized and healthy, saturated fats can increase the blood’s cholesterol levels, which can narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow to the brain. Meals should be light on fatty meats, lard, butter and shortening.
• Contain minimal refined sugars. You won’t find processed foods, which are generally high in refined sugars, at Aegis Living communities. These sweeteners are high in calories but lack the vitamins necessary to keep the brain functioning properly. That’s why seniors are given healthier options to tame their desire for sugar, such as fruit, real juice and baked goods made with fresh, organic ingredients. Even the hydration stations offer water naturally sweetened with fruit, which can satisfy a sweet tooth while promoting hydration among seniors.
• Have low sodium levels. Americans generally include too much sodium in their diets, which is a major factor in the epidemic of high blood pressure in the U.S.  For seniors with dementia, it’s especially important to keep a healthy blood pressure level to keep the blood flowing steadily to the brain.

Aegis Living strives to provide and teach good nutrition

At Aegis Living, eating healthy doesn’t mean seniors have to sacrifice flavor. Too often, assisted living communities focus solely on nutrition and let the artistry of cooking fall to the wayside, which leaves seniors with bland and boring meals. This is quite a conundrum, since it’s difficult to get any person to eat something that’s unappealing to the senses. But at Aegis Living communities culinary artists create menu plans that are both tasty and diverse.

All senses and flavors are taken into account – sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami – to give seniors a multifarious eating experience. The dining areas are designed to create a comfortable yet fine dining environment, and the common eating space encourages socialization, making breakfast, lunch and dinner something to enjoy. These three delicious meals are carefully crafted to include fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish and grains to meet the unique nutritional requirements of people with Alzheimer’s. Seniors also receive snacks and beverages throughout the day to keep their energy up.

Specialized diets

Professional dietitians also strive to meet the dietary needs of those with special conditions. Seniors with diabetes, for example, receive the services they need to maintain healthy blood sugar levels from full-time nursing staff who are trained in administering medications as well as monitoring seniors on specialty diets. Diabetic residents receive glucose checks and can learn from dietitian specialists.

Sample the Menu

Cooking healthy meals to improve wellness among seniors is not as easy as it looks. Each month, Aegis Living communities develop unique menus based on the needs and tastes of their residents, keeping in mind that a wide variety of nutrients is necessary to keep the Alzheimer’s brain healthy and happy.

Along with offering delicious options such as Waldorf chicken salad, beef tenderloin provencal and the barbecue pulled pork hoagie, the menu highlights the healthier options available throughout the month, narrowing the options so make the decision of what to eat easier. A sample menu includes:

• King salmon filet served with rustic ratatouille, couscous and basil pesto. It’s served with chips or a side salad.
• Shredded teriyaki chicken tacos topped with shredded carrot, cilantro, scallion and sesame aioli. They come with a refreshing green salad.
• Aegis panzanella salad made with heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, arugula, croutons and a red wine vinaigrette.
• Prosciutto-wrapped melon and brie cheese with summer berries, mint syrup and rosemary crackers.
• The signature dining room Caesar salad made from crisp Romaine lettuce and topped with homemade croutons and Parmesan cheese. Seniors can choose to add grilled chicken breast for added protein.
• Chicken salad sandwich with rotisserie chicken, tarragon aioli, grapes, celery, lettuce and tomato. It’s served with a choice of chips or a side salad.