Undercooked meat and eggs can be dangerous for seniors. "Undercooked foods such as eggs, meat, poultry and sushi can cause food poisoning, which can trigger sepsis and septic shock," according to Sun Health Communities.
Seniors should be careful about grapefruit due to medication issues. "You wouldn't expect grapefruit to be on a list of foods to avoid after 60," says the National Council on Aging (NCOA). "But the juice of a grapefruit can interfere with medications taken for insomnia, anxiety, and high blood pressure.
Seniors should not eat raw oysters or shellfish. "To reduce risks of illness from bacteria in food, persons at risk are advised not to eat raw fish and shellfish, raw or unpasteurized milk or cheese, soft cheeses, raw or lightly cooked egg or egg products, raw meat or poultry, raw sprouts, or unpasteurized fruit or vegetable juices," says the USDA.
High sodium foods such as processed meats should be avoided. "A diet that's high in sodium can cause your body to retain too much fluid, resulting in high blood pressure and a greater risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease," says the NCOA.
Be careful not to have too much caffeine. "Caffeine not only keeps many people from getting a good night's sleep, it may increase anxiety and make your heart beat more quickly or irregularly," says Sun Health Communities.
Diet sodas with artificial sweeteners could be dangerous for seniors. "Over the last few years, researchers have linked diet soft drinks to everything from obesity to sugar cravings to depression," according to Bethesda Health.
Be careful with alcohol consumption. "Enjoying an occasional alcoholic beverage is harmless for many people. However, if you live with a chronic illness, such as diabetes, or you take certain types of medications
Avoid heating your food in plastics, such as steam-in-the-bag vegetables. "When food is wrapped in plastic or placed in a plastic container and microwaved, substances used in manufacturing the plastic (plasticizers) may leak into the food.
Avoid fried junk foods as much as possible. "Fried fare is typically high in trans fats, hydrogenated oils, and tropical oils, which raise cholesterol and are linked to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer," says the NCOA.