MUDr. Miloš Bubán, gastroenterologist, traveler and expert guarantor of the League for the Elderly, in an interview for Zoznam.sk shared his views on eating for seniors, healthy lifestyle and the impact of nutrition on our health. Despite the fact that in recent years he sees an improvement in the approach of Slovaks to a healthier diet, according to him, wrong habits still dominate, which can have serious consequences.

Unhealthy eating habits and their consequences

Drum points out that although there is a wider range of fresh vegetables and fruit available today, many people still prefer heavier and fattier foods such as bacon, sausages and killer specialities. “For years, Slovakia has been at the top of the infamous colon cancer ranking. In countries in Africa, where vegetables and fibre predominate in the diet, the disease is much rarer,” explains Bubán.

A varied diet and its impact on the health of seniors

The gastroenterologist stresses that a varied and balanced diet is essential for everyone, especially seniors who face specific age-related challenges. In addition to physiological changes such as slowing digestion or dental problems, loneliness can have a big impact on seniors’ diets. “It’s important for seniors to have company at the dinner table. Many are lonely, which negatively affects their appetite and regularity in eating,” the expert points out. Drum also admits that seniors often tend to eat monotonously, which can be detrimental to their health. “I know this from my own experience, my mother used to have the same breakfast over and over again – Christmas cake with butter and honey, with coffee. I used to laugh about it until I found out I had similar habits,” he says with a smile.

Vegan and vegetarian diet – yes or no?

The nutritionist is not a big proponent of veganism and vegetarianism, especially for the elderly. “I know from personal experience that patients who prefer a vegan or vegetarian diet often suffer from health problems such as vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia,” warns Buban. Young people should consume meat until the age of 21, he says, because of the essential acids needed for proper brain development. “At an older age, we should not radically change our eating habits,” he adds.

Is it permissible to “sin”?

Drum admits that no one lives completely by the rules, and occasional “transgressions” are a part of life. “Of course, once in a while I’ll have a sausage or a killer specialty. The important thing is to find peace in everything,” says the gastroenterologist. He makes a similar comment on alcohol, considering a glass of wine with dinner to be beneficial for digestion, provided it has no contraindications to other ailments.

Friends and social ties – the key to psychological well-being

Bubán concludes by pointing out the importance of maintaining social contacts, which are crucial for seniors. “Society is cruel, when you quit your job, you lose a lot of contacts. That’s why it’s important to build a circle of friends that you hang out with,” he advises. She stresses that mental well-being is an integral part of health and has a direct impact on a person’s physical condition. Miloš Bubán thus reminds us once again that a proper diet, regularity in eating and maintaining friendly relationships are key to health and longevity. You can watch the full video interview here: https://youtu.be/Q49TB2_qKS8