Changing Diets and Your Retirement Plans

When you plan for retirement, it is often hard to plan for the future. One of the often overlooked expenses is the changes in your diet. As your body ages, your nutritional needs and preferences will change. You may have to change your diet to meet a new healthcare regimen or you may find that you want different styles of food. Some retired individuals may go from cooking for two to cooking for just one after the passing of a loved one.

When you’re establishing your retirement plan, make sure you consider your dietary changes – which could cost more than you think.

Fiber

Most individuals over the age of 65 need to regularly intake fiber for a healthy diet. These fiber sources come from whole grains, nuts, beans, fruits, seeds, brown rice and even vegetables. This wholesome diet isn’t cheap. To get the fiber you need, your home will need to be stocked with these essential ingredients. To help plan your retirement budget, start purchasing these items on a regular basis now and see how it impacts your budget.

Hypertension

Another common dietary change is one that is intended to prevent hypertension and heart disease. Since heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, your physician may prescribe a diet designed to counteract this. These diets often require you to remain active, eat foods low in sodium (salt) and keep a healthy weight, which means your entire diet could change.

To learn more, please download our free retirement planning in Arkansas report here.