Nutrition for Seniors

Successful aging and good nutrition go hand in hand.  Many diseases experienced by seniors stem from dietary habits formed early on in life.  Natural changes that occur as part of the aging process only intensify nutrition issues.  It is well known that food quality and intake decline as people age.  Because less food is needed to maintain a healthy weight, more care must be taken to choose low-fat and nutrient-rich foods.  Healthy food habits are important to reduce chronic disease risk, slow disease progression, and manage disease symptoms.  In addition to health, food also contributes to seniors’ social, cultural and psychological quality of life even more so than during earlier stages of life. 

Seniors’ food habits and thus nutrition status are shaped by a variety of factors including lifetime preferences, physiological changes, living arrangements, finances, transportation, functional ability which may impact the ability to shop and prepare nutritious meals, and health conditions.  Common nutrition concerns for seniors include:

• Anemia
• Low intake of essential nutrients, including calcium, zinc, iron, fiber, vitamin D, and B vitamins
• Poor appetite and changes in taste and flavor sensations—may prefer foods with added seasonings
• Ability to consume adequate foods due to altered oral health status
• Dehydration due to decreased thirst sensation, altered kidney function, and decreased mobility
• Loss of lean body mass (muscle).  The natural decrease in lean body mass causes the metabolic rate to slow and calorie needs to decrease.

Seniors need a variety of nutrient rich foods to get the right balance for optimal health.  A healthy diet for older adults includes adequate fluids, plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with low-fat milk and milk products, lean meats, fish and legumes (beans).  It is also important for seniors to limit the amount of saturated and trans fat, cholesterol, added sugars, salt and alcohol consumed.

Engaging in regular physical activity can improve overall health, mental outlook, enhance the quality of life, and help manage body weight for older adults.