Latest Dietary Guidelines

The latest Dietary Guidelines were recently released by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Included in the Guidelines are key recommendations that we can all benefit from. Not surprisingly, the basic foundation for good nutrition is very much aligned with our Balanced Care Method, Home Care Assistance's proprietary caregiver training program with an emphasis on healthy nutrition!

The new Guidelines recommend that older adults increase their intake of Vitamin B12. As we've shared previously, Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common occurrence among seniors and can cause weakness, confusion, depression or fatigue. Fish, meat and dairy products, as well as fortified cereals and vitamin supplements, are all high in B12.



A sampling of the 2011 Dietary Guidelines
Drink water instead of soda and other sugary drinks.
Increase physical activity.
Make fruits and vegetables half of the food on your plate.
Eat more seafood and fish in place of meat and poultry.
Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy products, or soy milk.
Choose packaged food like soup or crackers, with low amounts of sodium, fat and sugar.
Avoid oversize portions.
Eat less salty, fatty, sugary snack foods.
For more information on the Guidelines, visit http://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/


Eat your way to a better day!