Elderly people tend to eat much less than the younger generations. When their diet is not matching their body's needs for nutrients, then supplemental drinks like Ensure are the perfect match. Protein-deficient diets lack in vitamins and minerals as well. Protein drinks can offer the needed daily intake of 32 different nutrients - including calcium and vitamin D. One to two of these drinks daily can help supplement their diet, however, these protein drinks cannot be used as replacements for food or the main/only source of nutrients. In some cases, elderly folks who have overly relied on Ensure as a main source of nutrients report higher cases of diarrhea and other digestive problems.
Although doctors and grocery/drug store attendants may be pushing Ensure or Boost protein drinks, there are other sources of nutrients that can be used. For example, smoothies, vegetable juices, fruit juices, and coconut water can all be helpful. It is super important that elderly people drink enough water. Water is vital in maintaining harmony in the gut, kidneys, tissues and brain, and can even help with balance. That is why it is vital that the elderly drink plenty of water every day. It is equally important to consume less salt, eat earlier in the evening, never skip meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of rest, and use food as medicine instead of pleasure that satisfies cravings. Conscious eating and dietary awareness can lead to better results when it comes to blood sugar content and the use of insulin in the body.
While Ensure and other protein drinks can be a great supplement to an elderly person's diet, it is also important to stay hydrated and take greater responsibility in taking care of oneself. This body is a machine, and if we don't treat it harmoniously, it will crash on us and we will have to learn a more challenging lesson. The less processed sugars, and the more whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, the happier our elderly friends and family will be and the better they will feel.
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