The average American consumes about 3 pounds of sugar weekly. Natural sugars, such as those found in fruit and some vegetables are not as detrimental to health as processed sugar, but their consumption should be controlled. This includes items like bananas and sweet potatoes. Processed sugar is found in foods such as candy, white flour, cookies, French fries, soda, syrup, frosting and pudding, and should be avoided. It is also found in items that are not as obvious, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, peanut butter and many types of breakfast cereals. For seniors that do not have someone to help them with meals, such as elder care services, they may develop or aggravate health problems in many different ways.
Teeth
Sugar consumption is a leading cause of tooth decay and gum disease. Sugar, saliva and mouth bacteria combine to create cavities. Teeth should always be brushed after consuming sugary foods to minimize its effects. This is difficult for those that do not have the ability to brush their teeth well or at all. A toothbrush can be difficult to grip; toothpaste hard to squeeze. Those with mobility issues may not be able to successfully stand over a sink for the three minutes it takes to brush.
High Cholesterol
Many times, seniors looking to lower their cholesterol levels look for foods low in sodium. While this is a good idea, they sometimes forget to check the label to see how much sugar is in it. Many manufacturers of processed foods lower the salt content and add sugar to make them taste better. While this is good for relieving some health problems, it only creates others.
Weight
One of the reasons people are overweight is they eat too many calories compared to their rate of exercise and burning off calories. It is difficult for many seniors to remain active, but very easy to be tempted by high-calorie foods. Many of these contain sugar. Eating a well-balanced diet and having someone provide at home senior care to assist with meal preparation and food choices will help control weight and sugar intake. This can be done by a friend or family member. When this is not an option, seniors and their family members should consider using a home care agency that will assist with these issues.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when the body cannot properly process the amount of complex sugars in the body. It can lead to stroke, blindness, poor circulation in the extremities, heart attack and increase of infection. Regulating food intake with a diet low in sugar, combined with a daily exercise routine and sometimes medication will help control diabetes.
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