Cereals and Cereal Products for Dietary Preventive Nutrition

Providing senior citizens with specialized gerontological products is one of the most important tasks of the contemporary food industry. The research objective was to develop targeted functional foods for elderly population based on the peculiarities of their metabolism. The new products included raw materials with a low glycemic index and a high protein content but a low fat and carbohydrate content, e.g., lentil, pea, and barley flour. Kelp powder served as a source of iodine. The content of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates was studied by infrared spectroscopy using a Spectastar 2500 analyzer. Vitamins, minerals, and trace elements were measured by classical and modern analysis methods. The research also included a sensory evaluation of the new cereals and cereal products. As for the basic nutrients, the protein content was 20.96–24.33 g/100 g, fat – 3.36–3.49 g/100 g, carbohydrates – 45.07–47.10 g/100 g, energy – 327–333 kcal/100 g. One portion (150 g) satisfied the recommended daily intake of proteins by 18.0%, fats – by 2.9%, carbohydrates – by 9.1%, dietary fiber – by 30.5%, and energy – by 9.13%. The new products had a good nutritional value and were rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and micro- and macro-elements, e.g., iodine. The new cereals and cereal products can also be used in diets for senior patients with comorbid pathology.