Healthy Eating and Older Adults
Topic Overview
Having good nutrition is important at any age. But it is especially important for older adults. Eating a healthy diet can help keep your body strong and can help lower your risk for disease.
But as you get older, it can be harder to eat in healthy ways. If you have health problems or can't be active, you may not feel as hungry as you used to. You may not plan and make meals as often.
The following is a list of common nutrition problems older adults have, plus some ideas for solutions.
Problem |
Ideas for solutions |
---|---|
You have health problems that make it hard to chew. |
|
You have trouble shopping for yourself. |
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You have trouble preparing meals. |
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You don't feel very hungry. |
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You are worried about the cost of food. |
|
Related Information
References
Other Works Consulted
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2012). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Food and nutrition for older adults: Promoting health and wellness. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 112(8): 1255-1277. Also available online: http://www.eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8374.
- Barberger-Gateau P, et al. (2007). Dietary patterns and risk of dementia: The three-city cohort study. Neurology, 69(20): 1921-1930.
- Katz DL (2008). Dietary recommendations for health promotion and disease prevention. In Nutrition in Clinical Practice, 2nd ed., pp. 434-447. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture (2015). 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans 8th ed. http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/. Accessed January 12, 2016.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
Current as ofMarch 29, 2018
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Current as of: March 29, 2018
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator