Dairy products, quantities, meal times… Nutrition expert Paul Tronchon gives some advice to the elderly to help them eat well.
In France, 2 million people suffer from undernutrition, and seniors are the most affected. Paul Tronchon, president of Saveurs et Vie and former director of food and nutrition at the AP-HP, gives some advice to the elderly to help them eat well.
As we age, we need to eat less
False – The calorie needs of older people are at least equal to those of a younger person with equivalent physical activity. Indeed the “yield” of the body decreases and the assimilation of food and the use of nutrients (proteins, minerals, etc.) is less successful. There are more losses (calories, proteins, calcium, etc.) to compensate for in order to meet the body’s needs.
However, 50% of seniors think the opposite*.
A senior should eat little in the evening
False – It is certainly necessary to consume digestible food in the evening (no dishes that are too heavy and greasy) but the dinner must however be complete in order to avoid hypoglycemia, excessive night fasting or even dehydration.
However, even today, ¾ of seniors think the opposite.
All you need is a scale to detect malnutrition
True – There are simple ways to make the diagnosis of malnutrition, without even consulting a health professional. A simple scale can detect undernutrition at home. A significant weight loss in a short time is a sufficient criterion. Just like the appearance of sunken cheeks or an emptier fridge than usual.
84% of seniors are unaware that the diagnosis of undernutrition is so simple.
Dieting is possible at all ages
False – After 65 or 70, weight loss is more often harmful than beneficial; statistically, it is associated with excess mortality. It is recommended to avoid weight-loss diets apart from a few specific situations, in particular when obesity is the cause of serious health problems such as respiratory failure, for example.
However, ¾ of seniors think it is still possible.
It is recommended to eat 3 to 4 dairy products a day
True – While the 2019-2023 National Health Nutrition Plan (PNNS 4) now recommends 2 dairy products per day for the general population, it recommends 3 to 4 dairy products per day for those over 55, which corresponds to one dairy product per meal. This ensures an adequate supply of calcium.
However, only 9% of seniors gave the correct answer.
*According to a survey carried out in partnership with Malakoff Humanis as part of the first edition of the week to combat undernutrition (last November). This survey was carried out on more than 200 people, men and women, aged 60 to 75.
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