Choosing healthy foods is a smart thing to do—no matter how old you are! Healthy eating can help prevent or delay heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems in older adults, and keep these problems from getting worse. Maintaining a healthy weight and getting needed nutrients is one of the most important things you can do for healthy aging.
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Choosing Healthy Meals As You Get Older
Good nutrition is part of healthy aging! Read about healthy eating and meal plans, and get 10 tips for choosing healthy foods and a healthy lifestyle.
Know Your Food Groups
Food groups include grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables, dairy, oils, and solid fats and added sugars. Learn about each group.
Smart Food Choices for Healthy Aging
Make smart food choices—like choosing nutrient-dense foods over calorie-dense ones—for healthy aging. Learn how small substitutions can make a big difference.
Overcoming Roadblocks to Healthy Eating
Problems such as no appetite or difficulty chewing can keep older adults from eating healthy. Get problem-solving suggestions for common barriers.
Shopping for Food That's Good for You
Eating healthy food on a budget starts with the right grocery list! These tips can help older people shop for nutritious food, even on a fixed income.
Serving and Portion Sizes: How Much Should I Eat?
How much food should you eat? Learn about servings and portion sizes for healthy nutrition and find healthy snack suggestions.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Balancing calories in and calories out is key to maintaining a healthy weight. Learn how physical activity and healthy eating can help.
USDA Food Patterns
The USDA Food Patterns can help you keep an eye on the calories you eat. For a balanced diet, choose healthy foods from five major food groups.
Vitamins and Minerals
Older adults may have different vitamin and mineral needs than younger adults. Find recommended amounts and information on calcium, sodium, vitamin D, and more.
10 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget
Healthy food doesn't have to be expensive. Get tips for saving money on foods costs and shopping for healthy food on a budget.
Important Nutrients to Know: Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Fats
Nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fats can help you stay healthy as you age. Make sure you get the right amount of each.
Getting Enough Fluids
Drinking enough fluids helps you digest food, absorb nutrients, and get rid of waste. Read these tips to help you get enough fluids.
Reading Food Labels
Reading food labels can help you make smart food choices. Learn how to read and understand the product date, ingredients list, and nutrition facts label.
Food Safety
Practice food safety to avoid getting sick from your food. When cooking—clean, separate, cook, chill. Learn how.
DASH Eating Plan
Studies have shown that following the DASH diet can lower high blood pressure, or hypertension. Read about healthy eating and diet tips from the DASH plan.
Sample Menus: Healthy Eating for Older Adults
Planning meals and making a shopping list can help you eat healthier. Check out these sample menus for older adults for healthy meal and snack ideas.
