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Nutrition Guides for Seniors & Caregivers

Evidence-based answers to the questions family caregivers ask about food and chronic conditions — each article summarizes what published research actually found, with references.

Osteoarthritis

What foods help with osteoarthritis pain?

Vegetables, berries, whole grains, legumes, fish and olive oil — the anti-inflammatory pattern behind the evidence.

What foods should you avoid with osteoarthritis?

Processed red meat, sugary drinks, high-sodium snacks and refined grains — and the swaps that help.

Can curcumin help osteoarthritis?

A meta-analysis of 29 RCTs: 120–1500 mg/day for 4–36 weeks reduced pain and inflammation, with caveats.

Does losing weight reduce knee osteoarthritis pain?

Randomized trials show ≥10% weight loss reduces knee pain and joint load — diet plus exercise works best.

Dementia

What should a senior with dementia eat?

Mediterranean-style eating and the MIND diet — the food groups linked to lower risk and slower cognitive decline.

What to do when a senior with dementia won't eat?

The ESPEN 2024 guideline's practical, person-centered steps for mealtime refusal.

Can diet protect against dementia?

What the prevention evidence shows about Mediterranean and MIND diets, coffee and more.

What to do when a person with dementia has trouble swallowing?

Signs to watch and safe-eating strategies from the dysphagia evidence.

Type 2 Diabetes

What should seniors with type 2 diabetes eat?

The ADA 2026 standards: Mediterranean-style, low-glycemic eating with whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish and lean protein.

How much fiber should you eat with type 2 diabetes?

ADA 2026 sets explicit targets: 25–30 g of fiber and 1–2 g of omega-3 per day — and how to reach them.

Chronic Kidney Disease

What should you eat with chronic kidney disease?

Kidney diet advice is shifting to a quality-first framework: balanced, diverse, plant-forward eating with less processing.

Can a plant-based diet help protect your kidneys?

What the research says about plant-forward eating — and why potassium limits still come from your care team.

Parkinson's

How should protein timing work with Parkinson's levodopa?

Take levodopa 30 minutes before or 1–2 hours after meals; protein redistribution helps — a low-protein diet does not.

What should someone with Parkinson's eat?

Fiber for constipation, low-fat meals for gastroparesis, carb snacks for levodopa nausea — plus caffeine, vitamin C and B vitamins.

Cancer

What should you eat during cancer treatment?

High-energy (25–30 kcal/kg) and high-protein (1.2–1.5 g/kg) eating, with GLIM screening thresholds for malnutrition.

What should you eat after cancer treatment?

Mediterranean-style eating was linked to 23% lower mortality in breast cancer survivors — the evidence and the plate.

What to eat when cancer kills your appetite?

Cachexia isn't simple hunger — screen early, manage the blockers, protect muscle with energy- and protein-dense meals.

Start with a plan

Want the full picture? See the osteoarthritis meal plan page with a sample 7-day menu, or build a personalized plan for your loved one.