RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Weekend column: Nutrition Month is about more than just eating habits
By BARB BRAHM

March is Nutrition Month. It's a time to celebrate and enjoy the vast array of good food we have.

It's also a great time to take a look at our eating habits and lifestyle.

We all like to eat. But as we grow older, many folks encounter challenges that affect their eating and overall health.

Aging sometimes brings a loss of hearing, vision and bone density. There are changes in smell and taste.

Most seniors experience a loss of lean body mass and a decrease in metabolism.

Some have a loss of teeth.

Common eating problems of older folks include trouble chewing and swallowing. Some don't feel hungry or don't want to eat.

Medications sometimes alter the taste of food and how well we use nutrients.

With reduced social contact, some older people don't like eating alone.

Chronic illness, frailty, depression and alcoholism are problems for some. Hospital or nursing home stays, restricted diets and limited income bring challenges for others.

To maintain good nutrition and health, older folks need to be encouraged to eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods as recommended on the Food Guide Pyramid. See www.mypyramid.gov.

Don't skip meals.

Select high-fiber foods including vegetables, fruits, whole grains and dried beans. Choose lean, low-fat meat.

Have three servings of Vitamin D enriched, low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Drink plenty of water and eat healthy snacks.

Restore life to bland foods with herbs and spices. Use nutritional supplements as suggested by your health care professionals.

Make meals social events. Try to not eat alone several times during the week.

Eat lots of colorful foods. Challenge yourself to try new foods and new preparation methods.

Plan, prepare and shop well. Reawaken your senses by increasing the variety of texture and flavors in meals.

Chop, steam, stew, grind, or grate hard or tough foods for easier chewing.

Be creative with the microwave.

Look for sales and specials, use coupons and make a shopping list. Take advantage of community meal programs.

Keep moving to stay fit. Pick activities you enjoy to get lots of physical exercise. Take long or short walks several times a day. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well, and don't forget your sunscreen, sunglasses and hat when outdoors.

Older people may feel lonely, sad or stressed in their daily lives due to the loss of loved ones, health problems, moving from their home or trouble paying bills. These feelings may cause them to lose energy, not feel like doing anything, not eat enough or overeat.

Be good to yourself.

Get enough sleep.

Stay connected with family and friends. Join a walking group or other social club.

Surround yourself with people you enjoy.

Volunteer and get active in community groups to help others.

Get a part-time job at a fun place.

Watch funny movies and laugh.

Take up a fun hobby.

We all need to watch out for our older friends, neighbors and loved ones.

Ask them about their eating habits.

Look for physical problems.

Know what medications they take.

Talk to your loved one's doctor.

It's never too late to make healthy changes in your life. Be healthy now.

Brahm is an extension educator, family and consumer sciences for Ohio State University Extension. She can be reached at 419-422-3851 or via e-mail at .


Subscribe to The Courier.
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail webmaster@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Summer Coupons
   WEEKEND
USA Weekend

ANDERSON COOPER: Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the CNN reporter returns to New Orleans as the Gulf Coast faces even newer challenges.


Roses are red...

SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS: The University of Findlay plays host to competitive sailor who is a quadruple amputee.

ALSO IN WEEKEND: Area events,
prep boys and girls soccer and a trip to Niagra Falls.

   STAY IN TOUCH
The Courier on Facebook
   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
TisaWee Farm

Far Flung Guest Book

Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
“ A head shot would have put an end to the both dirt bag's chance of getting more money. NATE: could it be that you have some fir... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:53:26 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
Penny Musgrave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Benton Ridge Shooting
“ Although I am all for catching the criminal, I don't condone what was done to this guy. They converged on him like gangbusters b... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:43:07 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Unqualified reassurance
“ To Tony - here is another example of your inability to see situations as they really are. It is obvious that you are so self in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:42:45 AM
JP wrote in article "Pigskin Picks":
Wood Shed???
“ "Bubba," why would a Tiger take a Polar Bear to the wood shed? Wouldn't it be more likely that: Tigers knock Polar Bears into a... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:16:48 AM
poor victim!!!!! wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate
“ Nate your a moron and obviously do not know a thing about use of force. Also most taser cartridges carried have a 15 ft to 35 f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:15:05 AM
Ryan wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Research
“ It doesn't matter if there was a weapon found or not. An officer's job is based upon perception and their objective reasonablen... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:05:15 AM
Derek wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate......what???
“ Nate, first of all, police officer's don't carry mase. If they did, the would carry maCe. Now, if you did some research, you'd... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 4:02:04 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.