On June 3, 2025, the Association of Certified Professional Nutritionists (ACPN) successfully hosted a special workshop in Vaughan titled “Nourishing Connections: Making Fruit & Vegetable Smoothies – Digestion and Constipation in Seniors.” The event was partially funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program and aimed to help seniors improve digestive function and relieve constipation through nutrition education and hands-on cooking. ACPN Senior Registered Nutritionist and Canadian College of Public Health lecturer Ms. Julia Wong led the session with a clear, practical lecture on common digestive issues in older adults, emphasizing that poor digestion can be linked not only to bloating and reflux but also to chronic conditions such as gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome. She highlighted the crucial role of dietary fiber in maintaining healthy digestion and explained the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber.
In the “Constipation Solutions” segment, Ms. Wong shared a comprehensive strategy to improve bowel health: recommending high-fiber recipes, encouraging gentle morning movement and hydration with warm lemon honey water, demonstrating simple exercises such as flutter kicks and yoga poses, and teaching participants how to locate and massage key acupressure points like Qihai and Tianshu. The audience appreciated the practical nature of the session, which connected scientific nutrition guidance with actionable lifestyle habits.
The interactive portion of the event was a highlight. Participants followed Ms. Wong’s live demonstration of a pineapple, banana, avocado, and chia seed smoothie, learning the digestive benefits of each ingredient. They also practiced guided acupressure, group breathing exercises, and gentle pelvic floor movements to support regularity. A special Q&A session allowed participants to ask questions, including a discussion led by Mr. Dai, a veteran coin collector, who inquired about the impact of prolonged sitting on digestion. Each attendee received a Digestive Health Handbook featuring 15 high-fiber recipes, daily water tracking sheets, illustrated exercise guides, and an emergency care checklist. The workshop not only empowered seniors with science-based knowledge but also created a warm, social environment that strengthened community bonds and encouraged healthier aging.
