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The Best Memory Boosting Foods for Seniors with Dementia




When you or someone you care about shows signs of cognitive decline, switching to a healthier diet can really make a difference. Healthy eating plans like Mediterranean, Dash, and plant-based diets are gaining popularity with people who want to improve the quality of their lives and slow the progression of these symptoms.


Did you know there’s a connection between gut health and dementia? It turns out that science backs up these claims. According to the National Institute on Aging, the MIND diet (a combination of the Mediterranean and Dash diets) may help reduce brain damage caused by Alzheimer’s.


Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or overly strict. Most of these dietary changes are based on familiar common-sense guidelines: eat in moderation, choose fresh fruits and vegetables when available, and avoid excessive amounts of alcohol and refined carbohydrates. 


Try eating smaller, more frequent, easy-to-digest meals, and increase your intake of leafy vegetables, blueberries, whole grains, olive oil, and oily fish. Single portions of premade food can help reduce waste, but watch out for unhealthy ingredients that could make these symptoms worse. 


Here are a few more tips to help you get started. Of course, talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.


  1. Hydrate. Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks. 



Staying well-hydrated is especially important for seniors, as dehydration can lead to serious health issues like urinary tract infections, confusion, and kidney problems. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps maintain energy levels, supports digestion, and keeps the body functioning properly. Seniors should aim to drink water regularly, even if they don't feel thirsty, to ensure they stay hydrated and healthy.



2. Reduce sodium



Try sodium-free seasonings like Dash salt-free seasoning blends and Benson’s Table Tasty or create your own homemade salt-free seasoning blends. Caution: Stay away from seasonings that contain potassium chloride, which can cause dangerous interactions with certain medications.



3. Stay away from highly processed foods




Avoid or limit highly processed convenience foods like fish sticks, French fries, macaroni & cheese, and chicken nuggets. While they’re easy to prepare and eat, they are high in sodium, fat, carbs, and unhealthy chemicals. 


Hormel makes a product called Thick & Easy pureed meals. However, while these entrees are convenient, their high sodium levels are unsuitable for patients with high blood pressure.


Instead, choose a variety of flavorful, nutrient-rich foods, preferably soft-textured and easy to eat. The level of softness varies by the ability to self-feed and chew.



Food Recommendations



  • Protein: scrambled, soft-boiled, or poached eggs, de-boned soft fish (choose low-mercury, high Omega 3), soft lean meat, nut butters (thinned to reduce choking hazards), legumes, and tofu.


  • Dairy: yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and yogurt drinks.


  • Fruits and vegetables: applesauce, mashed ripe bananas, pureed fruit without skins or seeds, avocados, mashed cooked squash or carrots, etc.


  • Starches/whole grains: cooked cereals like oatmeal, soft-cooked pasta, and cooked potatoes (including (sweet potatoes or yams) without the skins.


  • Liquids include nutritional supplemental drinks and homemade shakes, pureed soups, and smoothies.


  • Spices/seasonings: cinnamon and turmeric.


  • Other: dark chocolate, coffee.


Things to avoid: 


Artificial sweeteners, especially sugar alcohols. Sugar alcohols can cause digestive issues like bloating and diarrhea for some people. Erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener, has been shown in recent studies to cause life-threatening blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. 


Sources:


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