Healthy Aging Begins With What Is on the Plate
OZAMIZ CITY- The National Nutrition Council recommends a balanced and varied diet for older adults, with meals that include vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein-rich foods. Its guidance on Pinggang Pinoy encourages moderation, balance, and variety while advising older people to limit excessive salt, sugar, and fatty foods. Adequate fluids also matter, particularly because the sensation of thirst may become less noticeable with age. These everyday practices offer families a useful starting point for helping older relatives maintain their nutritional needs.
Recognizing the Challenges Older Adults Face
Eating well can become difficult when older adults experience reduced appetite, dental problems, or difficulty chewing and swallowing. The National Nutrition Council also warns that malnutrition in older people can go unnoticed because signs such as weight loss, lightheadedness, and fatigue may be mistaken for other health concerns. Family members and caregivers can help by offering suitable food textures, providing varied nutritious meals, and paying attention to changes in eating habits. When an older person has a medical condition or specific dietary needs, guidance from a qualified healthcare professional or registered nutritionist-dietitian is important.
A Celebration That Connects Nutrition With Dignity
Elderly Filipino Week is observed every October 1–7, and the National Commission of Senior Citizens identified the 2026 theme as “Nakatatandang Pilipino: May Halaga at Karapatan, May Boses at Ambag sa Bayan.” The theme recognizes older Filipinos’ rights, dignity, voices, and contributions to their families and communities. Nutrition education complements that message by reminding families that supporting senior citizens includes helping them maintain their health and daily independence. In Ozamiz City, the nutrition advocacy associated with CNAO Navarez offers a timely reminder that caring for older people also means understanding their individual food and health needs.
