No longer is healthy eating only significant for older adults who are frail, undernourished or severely ill. The benefits of healthy eating are important for everyone regardless of his or her age. It is therefore critical that everyone, including older adults, consume a well-balanced assortment of foods every day. The health benefits are many and include reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, bone loss, some kinds of cancer, and anemia. Healthy eating can also help reduce high blood pressure, lower high cholesterol, and manage diabetes.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in its 2012 updated position paper on health and wellness for older adults notes that nutrition is one of the most important elements of healthful aging. This
is especially important because a nutritionally balanced diet helps prevent and manage chronic conditions. These sentiments are echoed by several entities including the World Health
Organization (WHO), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as well as numerous universities that provide guidance on nutrition in older people.
In 2011, the MyPlate for Older Adults which corresponds with USDA MyPlate, was introduced. MyPlate for Older Adults calls attention to the unique medical, social, physiological, nutritional
and physical activity needs associated with advancing years. According to the USDA, although calorie needs may be reduced with aging because of slower metabolism and limited physical activity, nutritional requirements usually remain the same or increase in some cases.
MyPlate for Older Adults (depicted below) is intended to be a “guide for healthy, older adults who are living independently and looking for examples of good food choices and physical activities.”
Click read more to learn more about using My Plate to help with food selection
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in its 2012 updated position paper on health and wellness for older adults notes that nutrition is one of the most important elements of healthful aging. This
is especially important because a nutritionally balanced diet helps prevent and manage chronic conditions. These sentiments are echoed by several entities including the World Health
Organization (WHO), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as well as numerous universities that provide guidance on nutrition in older people.
In 2011, the MyPlate for Older Adults which corresponds with USDA MyPlate, was introduced. MyPlate for Older Adults calls attention to the unique medical, social, physiological, nutritional
and physical activity needs associated with advancing years. According to the USDA, although calorie needs may be reduced with aging because of slower metabolism and limited physical activity, nutritional requirements usually remain the same or increase in some cases.
MyPlate for Older Adults (depicted below) is intended to be a “guide for healthy, older adults who are living independently and looking for examples of good food choices and physical activities.”
Click read more to learn more about using My Plate to help with food selection