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As we age, our bodies become more vulnerable to various ailments and illnesses. Diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis are some of the maladies that can strike seniors, who also become more susceptible to viral and bacterial infection. While age itself is a factor in the greater frequency of health problems such as these, however, it would be a mistake to overlook the role played by diet in the increased risk of disease and degenerative conditions that seniors face.

Poor diets do not directly cause most of the ailments that tend to plague older people. Nevertheless, harmful foods play a role in the prevalence of disease and other health disorders among the elderly by compromising the immune system, aggravating existing conditions, and acting as a carrier for destructive pathogens. The human body is a highly integrated, holistically-functioning system, and as a result changes in diet can go a long way in helping seniors preserve and improve their health.

So what are some of the harmful foods that seniors should avoid? The answer to this question really depends on what kind of health situation you are concerned about. So here are some foods that seniors should avoid, depending upon the conditions they are trying to treat or prevent.

Viral Infections

Immune systems tend to weaken naturally as we age. However, we can make the situation worse if we eat foods that lack nutritional value, or contain chemical additives and other toxins. Some of the foods that can compromise the functioning of the immune system include:

• Refined white flour

• Refined white rice

• Refined white sugar

• Cured meats (bacon, ham, sausage, bologna, etc.)

The first three lose vital nutrients as a part of the refinement process, while the last group contains nitrates and chemical preservatives that act like toxins in the body. Foods like these do not provide the proper nourishment needed by human cells, including those of the immune system. When they are frequently consumed, it can lower the body’s natural resistance to infections. This is a big problem for the elderly, who can become especially vulnerable to colds, the flu and pneumonia.

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial contamination is a fact of life in the American food supply. There is a higher likelihood of contamination in certain foods, and seniors should take special care to guard against food borne illnesses caused by bacteria since their bodies generally have reduced abilities to fight off these kinds of infections. The list of foods to avoid includes:

• Raw fish and shellfish

• Hot dogs

• Luncheon meats

• Raw milk and soft cheeses

• Smoked fish

• Raw or lightly-cooked eggs

• Raw sprouts

• Untreated fruit and vegetable juices

• Hot cooked food more than two hours old

Generally speaking, the above foods are okay if they have been properly cooked so that any harmful bacteria present will be destroyed. The US Food and Drug Administration website has published an extensive guideline on safe food handling for seniors, to help older adults know how to avoid the risks associated with bacterial contamination of food either at the source or during home storage and preparation.

Heart Disease

Food high in saturated fats and cholesterol can clog the arteries of the heart, which can lead to heart disease. Over time, these substances accumulate in the body, and for older people a lifetime of bad or careless eating habits can come back to haunt them by eventually causing a heart attack or other manifestation of heart trouble. The good news is that it is never too late to improve your heart health by reducing your intake of destructive fats and cholesterol. The foods that should be avoided, or at least consumed in drastically smaller amounts, include:

• Butter

• Ice cream

• Whole milk

• Organ meat

• Red Meat

• Processed foods

Fruits and vegetable, which are filled with body cleansing antioxidants, should be consumed in larger amounts in place of the foods listed above.

Arthritis

If you are suffering from arthritis, you should eliminate salty foods from your diet, as high levels of salt will exacerbate the symptoms of this condition. Processed foods are a no-no; industrial processing removes much of the natural flavor of food, and the producers of processed foods rely on large amounts of salt to replace the flavor that has been lost. You may be taking significant steps to reduce your salt intake, only to unintentionally undermine your approach by relying too much on processed foods for your daily calories, unaware of the high salt levels found in such foods.

Diabetes

Desserts, candies and other foods with high levels of sugar are the bane of diabetics. It can be really difficult not to consume these foods because diabetics often acquire their condition after a lifetime of sugar consumption. Sugar can be an addiction for your body, and the longer you have indulged that addiction the longer it can take to overcome. Nevertheless, sweet things should be avoided by seniors who already have diabetes, or those who may be in imminent danger of developing it.

Cancer

The link between diet and the incidence of cancer can be tough to establish. Cancer is still an elusive disease; but one thing that is known is that foods high in antioxidants, i.e. fruits, vegetables and coffee, have cancer fighting abilities and are needed by the body in abundance. Generally speaking, the best way to reduce the dietary risks for cancer is to avoid the enemies of antioxidants – saturated and trans-fats. Some foods high in these fats are:

• Hot dogs

• Processed meats and bacon

• Doughnuts

• French fries

• Potato chips

• Cookies

You are What You Eat

When you look at all of the foods listed above, you may be wondering what is left that is not unhealthy to eat. Since most of these dangerous foods are integral parts of the typical American diet, it may seem impossible to cut out all of them without starving. Our eating habits have taken a lifetime to develop, and trying to change them can be quite difficult and frustrating.

But these habits can be changed. The best way to do so is to concentrate more on what needs to be added to your diet as opposed to what should be eliminated. As you add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, for example, you will inevitably find yourself eliminating other things because you no longer require them to get sufficient calories. You may even begin to find yourself craving more healthy foods. The Diet Channel has advice on what foods seniors should eat, based on the essential vitamins like Vitamin B12 and minerals that older people often lack in their diets and their bodies.

If you are a senior, it is in your interest to do everything you can to reduce and hopefully eliminate many of the foods mentioned above from your diet. While it may be difficult, your mind and body will adjust, and the improvements in health and mental and physical energy you experience after changing to a healthier diet will convince you that the change was well worth all the effort.