Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. The disease poses unique challenges as we age. Seniors are at a higher risk of developing diabetes and its complications such as heart disease, kidney and nerve damage, blindness, stroke, limb amputation and hearing problems. This is something that aged ones should take care of Retirement village bay of plenty. This article explores how diabetes affects seniors and offers some tips to manage diabetes through dietary modification.

How Can Diabetes Affect Our Health?

Diabetes can cause a number of health issues, including:

• Eye problems. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in your eyes and lead to vision loss.
• Kidney disease. High blood sugar levels can also damage small blood vessels in the kidneys. This is called diabetic nephropathy, or kidney disease. Over time, this damage may lead to kidney failure (end-stage renal disease).
• Heart disease or stroke. High blood pressure is common in people with diabetes and puts you at risk for heart attack and stroke (disease of the brain’s blood vessels).

Some Diabetic-Friendly Food Ideas

Have Fun With Frozen Fruit

 Frozen fruit is a great alternative to ice cream, popsicles and other desserts that are normally off-limits for those with diabetes. You can make smoothies with frozen fruit instead of ice cubes or use frozen berries to add sweetness to your coffee. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, try making popsicles from blended strawberries or bananas—you can even add yogurt if you want something creamy. The possibilities are endless!

• Eat Delicious Fish For Healthy Omegas 

Fish is a great source of healthy fats, protein and vitamins. Fish is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce the risk of heart disease and improve blood sugar control.

Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in some fish, such as mackerel, herring, salmon and albacore tuna. It’s important to eat at least two servings of fish each week to get enough omega-3s in your diet.

• Oats Dosa/ Oats Porridge 

Oats are a great source of fibre and protein. Oats contain no fat or cholesterol, making them an excellent choice for people with diabetes. In addition to the fibre in oats, they are also a good source of iron and zinc, which promote normal immune system function, as well as beta-glucans that may lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels by helping to prevent its absorption into the bloodstream.

The soluble fibre in oats helps slow down digestion so blood sugar levels stay low longer—a crucial benefit for people with type 2 diabetes who must carefully watch their carbohydrate intake. And because oat bran contains insoluble fibre, too, you’ll get both types of fibre when you eat oatmeal (check out all our delicious recipes here).

• Glass Of Low-Fat Milk For A Terrific 

The best part about lactose-free milk is that it’s a terrific source of calcium, vitamin D, protein and potassium. Calcium helps protect against osteoporosis, which is more common in seniors than younger people. Vitamin D helps with bone health too and may also play a role in controlling blood pressure and the immune system (which helps prevent infections). Protein has many important roles in the body, including helping maintain muscle mass so you can stay active and strong as you age. Potassium helps regulate your blood pressure by removing excess fluid from your body (so it doesn’t pool around your heart). Finally, vitamin A supports antioxidants that help keep skin healthy, so you don’t get wrinkles!

Dietary Tips to Manage Diabetes as We Age

There are many dietary tips to manage diabetes as we age. Diets for seniors with diabetes need to be adjusted based on the needs of an older adult’s changing body and lifestyle.

Diabetes is a condition in which your blood glucose (sugar) levels are too high because you do not produce enough insulin or your body cannot use its own insulin effectively. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney failure and blindness.

Conclusion

We hope this post has given you a better idea of how to plan healthy meals for seniors with diabetes living in the retirement village bay of plenty. Remember, it’s important to work closely with your senior’s doctor or dietitian to ensure they get all the nutrients they need. Try partnering with an experienced in-home caregiver who can help you prepare nutritious, diabetic-friendly meals that meet your loved one’s needs.