Nutrition for Senior Adults

Maintaining good nutrition is important throughout life.  Health status in later life is influenced by earlier eating habits and physical activity. Good nutrition throughout adulthood can help reduce risk of chronic disease as well as help in managing the effects.  Selection of nutritious foods and maintaining physical activity contribute to a higher quality of life and enhance independence as one gets older.

The following links will take you to information on the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 Older Adult Brochure:
Getting older. Living healthier. Feeling better.

Older Adult Health Factsheets:

• Get the Most Nutrition Out of Your Calories
  
• Choose Carbohydrates Wisely
  
• Eat Plenty of Fruits & Vegetables
  
• Know Your Fats
  
• Sodium & Potassium
  
• Play It Safe with Food
  
• For a Healthy Weight, Find Your Balance Between Food & Physical Activity
  
• Be Physically Active

My Pyramid

The food guidance tool for the general public was released in April 2005 by the USDA.  Along with the new MyPyramid symbol, the system provides many options to help Americans make healthy food choices and to be active every day.
http://www.mypyramid.gov/

Tufts University recently updated its MyPyramid symbol specifically for older adults.
Modified MyPyramid for older adults.

Note: Links to web sites produced by organizations other than the Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA) are provided for your convenience. When you select one of these links, you will leave VDA's web site. VDA is not responsible for the content of linked web pages, and does not endorse products or services that may be offered on the linked pages. Also, the privacy policies of these sites may differ from the privacy policy followed by the Department for the Aging. Please report incorrect or outdated links to VDA's Web Designer.

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