Freising professor: "People want to eat comfortably"

How do you eat properly in old age?

There was lively online discussion about this.

Prof. Hans Hauner from the TU doesn't think much of diets and fasting, for example.

Freising

- Can good nutrition be successful in old age? And can a healthy diet alleviate certain illnesses or even increase life expectancy? Last week, the ZEIT Health Forum devoted itself to these major issues with a digital expert discussion. Prof. Dr. Hans Hauner, Director of the Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Nutritional Medicine at the TU in Freising. The introductory ZEIT survey of older passers-by showed that many of the respondents would generally look to conscious nutrition. Hauner also confirmed that, especially in recent years, some of the citizens have tended to pay more attention to healthy food. Youtuber and bestselling author Greta Silver also shared this observation: In her opinion, young people in particular are already paying close attention to nutrition these days,also because later on, “the price to be paid” in terms of health.

People cook less and less at home

Hauner, on the other hand, emphasized that the fast food market is still growing steadily, among other things because people are cooking less and less at home.

A discrepancy in perception can be observed here: Although there are people who pay close attention to their diet, this is by far not the majority of the population.

According to Hauner, that should not be marginalized: “People want to eat comfortably.” His wish: To make cooking at home and in company “palatable” for the elderly again - because those who cook themselves eat on average healthier.

This primarily requires an impulse for change, but also competence, recommends the health expert at the University of Hamburg, Prof. Dr.

Verena Klusmann-Weiskopf.

To demonize sugar is "nonsense"

While Silver, who started modeling at the age of 60, made the experience that carbohydrates overtired the body at the wrong time of day, Hauner assessed this as a "subjective" perception and expectation. In his opinion, carbohydrates, especially sugar, are currently being vilified in the media anyway. However, that is "quite a nonsense". Carbohydrates are not bad per se, it always depends on how much of what is eaten. After large portions, the ability to think can be limited for a short time because a lot of blood is needed for digestion. The portions when going out to dinner, according to Hauner's experience, are always too big - “we don't need that”. In any case, it makes sense to reduce sugar. It is noticeable, however, that the need for sugar decreases with age anyway.

In general, however, it can be seen, according to Hauner, that older people without major illnesses would not eat much differently than the average.

But there is a change in people older than 85 years: Here, appetite and feelings of thirst decrease, often accompanied by depression.

For the very old, for example, drinking foods would be an option.

Prof. Hauner doesn't believe in diets

In the 60 to 80 age group, however, a completely different problem is present, namely overweight.

And here, according to Hauner, a change in diet would definitely have health benefits - possibly even a longer life expectancy.

However, Hauner does not think too much of diets and fasting, rather he advocates a balanced and healthy diet that suits the person.

The art is simply just to find out what tastes good and is good for your health.

rl

Also read: Deadly mix-up: man dies after being poisoned in hospital - police urgently warn

Freising newsletter: Everything from your region!

Our brand new Freising newsletter informs you regularly about all the important stories from the Freising region - including all the news about the corona crisis in your community.

Sign up here.