Seniors Are You Eating to Win?
Courtesy of The New York Public Library
From 1971 to 1972 Dr. Alvenia M. Fulton wrote “Eating for Your Health and Strength,” a column in the Black-owned-and-operated Chicago Defender about health, healing, and nutrition. The column covered topics based on what she learned from her elders growing up on a farm in Pulaski, Tennessee, graduate training, study of current medical literature and practices, and her practice as a naturopath. This week we look at Dr. Fulton’s thoughts on aging; she and her mother enjoyed good health into their nineties. What causes digestive problems among the elderly? Allergies, eating too fast, stress, and eating foods in the wrong combination. As we get older, our digestive system slows down. This may cause anemia from a lack of iron. Excessive bulk and rough residue from food may cause the digestive organs to become easily irritated, and there is usually a poor absorption of essential calcium. How do you insure the elderly get enough calcium? One must create strategies to increase their calcium intake. Consider serving seniors helpings of their favorite ice cream, or dairy free ice cream made from avocados, almonds, cashews, coconut, or soy. Also, cook them meals with dairy or dairy free substitutes. A strategy that works for feeding the elderly is giving them mini meals, small portions, and doing so at frequent intervals.
