By Ruth Vonderohe, UNL Extension Educator

As we age, our bodies slow down. Our metabolism is slower, we don’t feel as strong as we were and we seem to gain weight much easier than before. We also seem to get sick easier and our digestive system just doesn’t handle food the way it did when we were younger.

Your body has undergone some changes. It has less gastric acid in the stomach, and  therefore, doesn’t break down food quite as easily. Nor does it have enough acid to kill some of the microorganisms that it used to handle with ease. Your teeth may not be very good, or you might have ill fitting dentures. Because you have aches and pains, shopping may not be enjoyable and food just doesn’t have much appeal anyway.

You might not be as thirsty as you were, but you still need water. Water helps with metabolism and digestion. It is important to get about eight glasses a day, although it can come in the form of soup, fruits and vegetables, coffee and tea. You should stay away from too much caffeine since, because it is a diuretic, your system will dispose of the water more quickly.

So what does a person do about all these changes? You try to make the food taste better. Doubling the amount of extract helps with flavor. Try adding chopped onion or seasoning and spices. You may not have tried something like cumin before, but it may add some zest. Adding shredded cheese not only adds color and flavor, it also increases your calcium intake. Salsa or other fruit sauces will not only add flavor, they will also help meat become more tender.

To improve nutrition, prepare meals and eat them at regular times. Remember, you can’t eat as much as you used to, so pay attention to portions sizes. For variety, take only 2 - 3 bites of one food and then switch to different food. Make sure your meals are colorful, adding at least one fruit and one vegetable to each meal.

Sometimes as we age, we lose family members. It is hard to eat by yourself. If this is the case, take a friend or family member out to lunch. Then, since the meals are often very large, save the leftovers for another meal. Invite a group of friends over once a week, then, each person brings a dish and you can enjoy good food and fellowship. The Senior Center has a lot of activities and will also supply you with a delicious meal. Get out of the house and take a walk. This will not only improve your appetite, it will help you sleep better.

Aging is something everyone deals with. By being creative, we can make our meals enjoyable and fulfilling.

This information is provided by the Social Aspects of Aging project team, a cooperative effort between Kansas and Nebraska Extension Service, Family and Consumer Sciences.