3 Nutrition Tips To Help Seniors Stay Healthy This Cold And Flu Season

While every cold and flu season can be nerve wracking for those of a vulnerable population, this cold and flu season is likely striking fear into even the healthiest of senior citizens. In addition to worrying about getting your typical cold or flu this year, you also need to be aware of the potential for getting COVID-19 as well. 

Although there’s not much you can do after you get sick from one of these illnesses, there are things you can do in your everyday life to make sure your health is primed to help you fight off anything that might attempt to take you down. To help you see how this can be done, here are three nutrition tips to help seniors stay healthy this cold and flu season. 

Take Your Vitamins

If you’re living in an assisted living facility or are under the care of someone other than yourself, they will likely be the ones in charge of your pills and medicine. But if you’re still handling this part of your health, you might want to consider taking a daily vitamin as cold and flu season approaches.

According to Valencia Higuera, a contributor to Healthline.com, it’s generally a good idea to take a daily vitamin that contains calcium, vitamin D, and vitamins B6 and B12. When you’re getting enough of these vitamins and nutrients like you would be when taking a daily vitamin or multivitamin, you’ll be ensuring that your body has what it needs to fight off illness while boosting your immune system. 

Shoot For A Balanced Diet

Along with taking a multivitamin on a daily basis, you should also be cautious about what foods you’re eating regularly. 

While it’s fine to indulge every once in a while, Jessica Booth, a contributor to Redbook, shares that what you should really be shooting for is a balanced diet. This includes eating enough fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and protein. Ideally, you should try to eat more whole foods and less processed foods as well. 

Reduce Your Inflammation

Not all food that’s considered “healthy” is going to be good for your specific body makeup. For some people, food can cause inflammation, which can make you more susceptible to getting sick or having pain or other health issues. 

Knowing this, Kerri-Ann Jennings, a contributor to WebMD.com, recommends that you try to steer clear of certain foods that are common in causing inflammation for many elderly people. This food includes things like refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and sugar. 

If you’re wanting to give yourself the best chance of staying healthy this cold and flu season, consider implementing the nutrition tips mentioned above, whether you’re a senior citizen or not. 

Infographic Provided By Boston Analytical