Growing old leads to a slower metabolism and the loss of muscle mass. These things, as well as poor eating habits, contribute to weight gain in seniors. However, older adults can use the following tips to lose weight.
1. Limit Sugar Consumption
Foods full of sugar offer little nutritional value to seniors, causing them to overeat, which leads to weight gain. However, avoiding sugary foods can help aging adults lose weight and prevent health issues such as poor circulation, hypertension, depression, and some cancers. The foods seniors need to avoid when trying to lose weight include cakes, cookies, sugary beverages, and some carbohydrates that break down into sugar.
Preparing balanced meals for your senior loved one every day can be challenging, and it can be even more complicated if your parent has special dietary needs. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional elder care, Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults address their health issues and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.
2. Drink Green Tea
Because green tea contains no calories, it can help elderly people lose weight and boost their metabolism. Each cup of green tea increases the body’s energy-burning efficiency. The antioxidants in the tea can also reduce belly fat. Seniors only need to drink a couple of cups of green tea each day to receive the maximum benefits.
3. Practice Portion Control
Overeating is one of the biggest factors in weight gain. Limiting the amount of food eaten helps seniors consume fewer calories. As a result, they can burn more calories than they take in throughout the day, helping them lose weight.
4. Go Walking
Staying active can lead to weight loss as well as other health benefits, including better balance, increased brain stimulation, and reduced stress levels. While walking, seniors can burn a significant amount of energy each day. Walking can also build lean muscle, which allows seniors to burn more calories even as they sleep.
It’s a good idea for you or another caregiver to accompany your loved one to make walking safer and more fun. Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Montgomery families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.
5. Get Plenty of Rest
Lack of sleep causes the body to produce more of the hunger hormones ghrelin and leptin, leading to overeating and weight gain. Getting at least eight hours of sleep each night can help older adults lose more fat and prevent insomnia. During sleep, the body produces more melatonin, a hormone that can promote weight loss and protect muscle tissue. Sleeping can also boost metabolism, allowing seniors to stay active during the day.
6. Drink More Water
When seniors believe they’re hungry, they’re often just thirsty. Staying hydrated throughout the day helps seniors avoid overeating and reduce their calorie intake. Encourage your loved one to drink a glass of water before each meal to digest the food better and ultimately burn more calories. Your loved one can also get the water his or her body needs by eating foods that are naturally rich in water, such as tomatoes and cucumbers. Consult with your parent’s primary care physician to determine how much water your parent should drink each day.
It’s crucial that seniors pay attention to their nutritional and physical activity requirements to remain fit and healthy. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Montgomery homecare. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. To learn more about our premier in-home care plans, call us at (334) 593-3988 today.