As we age, it’s common to feel bloated, slightly nauseous and even experience stomach issues after meals. Gastritis, acid reflux, flatulence, etc. are all common problems that rear their ugly heads as we get older.
While in most cases there’s nothing to panic about, remedying these problems will bring about relief. The good news is that most of these issues can be fixed with a few simple measures.
One mistake that many seniors make when they have acid reflux and indigestion is to resort to medication such as antacids and prescription medication. In most cases, this is neither necessary nor helpful because you’re just masking the problem. If you wish to attain long term relief, you MUST address the cause.
So, what is the cause of all these new stomach issues?
- Your body is more sensitive
When you were young and robust, you could eat anything you wanted without worry. As you get older, your body becomes more sensitive. Eat a slice of pizza and you may feel bloated for half a day.
The salt in your food may cause more water retention. The oily foods may cause inflammation and the sugar-free soda will increase the acidity in your body because of the artificial sweetener.
The hard truth is that you just can’t eat as you were accustomed too. Yet, the problem here is that most people are creatures of habit. We carry on eating the same foods that we did when we were younger.
We then believe that our body is giving out on us because we’re getting older. What you need to do is give up the unhealthy foods and switch to healthier options. You need to consume foods that are wholesome, rich in fiber and vitamins and nutrients that your body craves.
It’s unfortunate that the list of foods that we can eat without ill-effects shrinks as we age, but there’s no way around it. You MUST tailor your diet and listen to your body. - Keep a food journal
It’s a fantastic idea to keep a food journal. Write down whatever you eat and record how you feel after the meal. You’ll soon discover that some foods make you feel energetic and great while others leave you feeling bloated and sapped of energy.
Eat the foods that make you feel good… and while you do not need to give up your favorite foods totally, do consume them in moderation. - Portion control
This is another important factor to bear in mind. As the body ages, it’s inevitable for our metabolism to slow down. Over and above that, there will be some lean muscle loss.
While exercise and weight training can help to retard the process, there’s a limit to what the body can do. Seniors generally burn less calories daily than younger people.
So, you need to eat less. As mentioned earlier, habits die hard and if you’re eating the same amount of food as you used to when you were in your thirties, you’ll gain weight and tax your digestive system.
Less is more. Eat smaller portions at meals and ensure that you’re getting lots of vegetables and fruit in your diet.
If you keep a food journal, eat moderately and stick to the foods that make you feel alive, your stomach issues will disappear and you will look and feel healthier.
“The best and most efficient pharmacy is within your own system.” – Robert C. Peale
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Portion Control and Dietary Changes When Aging
As we age, it’s common to feel bloated, slightly nauseous and even experience stomach issues after meals. Gastritis, acid reflux, flatulence, etc. are all common problems that rear their ugly heads as we get older.
While in most cases there’s nothing to panic about, remedying these problems will bring about relief. The good news is that most of these issues can be fixed with a few simple measures.
One mistake that many seniors make when they have acid reflux and indigestion is to resort to medication such as antacids and prescription medication. In most cases, this is neither necessary nor helpful because you’re just masking the problem. If you wish to attain long term relief, you MUST address the cause.
So, what is the cause of all these new stomach issues?
- Your body is more sensitive
When you were young and robust, you could eat anything you wanted without worry. As you get older, your body becomes more sensitive. Eat a slice of pizza and you may feel bloated for half a day.
The salt in your food may cause more water retention. The oily foods may cause inflammation and the sugar-free soda will increase the acidity in your body because of the artificial sweetener.
The hard truth is that you just can’t eat as you were accustomed too. Yet, the problem here is that most people are creatures of habit. We carry on eating the same foods that we did when we were younger.
We then believe that our body is giving out on us because we’re getting older. What you need to do is give up the unhealthy foods and switch to healthier options. You need to consume foods that are wholesome, rich in fiber and vitamins and nutrients that your body craves.
It’s unfortunate that the list of foods that we can eat without ill-effects shrinks as we age, but there’s no way around it. You MUST tailor your diet and listen to your body. - Keep a food journal
It’s a fantastic idea to keep a food journal. Write down whatever you eat and record how you feel after the meal. You’ll soon discover that some foods make you feel energetic and great while others leave you feeling bloated and sapped of energy.
Eat the foods that make you feel good… and while you do not need to give up your favorite foods totally, do consume them in moderation. - Portion control
This is another important factor to bear in mind. As the body ages, it’s inevitable for our metabolism to slow down. Over and above that, there will be some lean muscle loss.
While exercise and weight training can help to retard the process, there’s a limit to what the body can do. Seniors generally burn less calories daily than younger people.
So, you need to eat less. As mentioned earlier, habits die hard and if you’re eating the same amount of food as you used to when you were in your thirties, you’ll gain weight and tax your digestive system.
Less is more. Eat smaller portions at meals and ensure that you’re getting lots of vegetables and fruit in your diet.
If you keep a food journal, eat moderately and stick to the foods that make you feel alive, your stomach issues will disappear and you will look and feel healthier.
“The best and most efficient pharmacy is within your own system.” – Robert C. Peale
