Due to decreased appetite and poor digestive capacity, old people are likely to consume less protein. But the fact remains that despite a decrease in calorie requirement the need of protein remains the same, hence the food should be a little richer in protein than the other normal food.
Rich sources of protein are- all pulses, legumes, sprouts, chicken, fish, and egg.
Normal adult protein requirement is 1 gm/kg body weight.
Deficiency of protein is common in the elderly and is one of the contributing factors to oedema, anaemia and lowered resistance to infections.
