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Healthy Eating
Physical Activity
Healthy eating and regular physical activity are keys to good health at any age. They may lower your risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases. They may even help ward off depression and keep your mind sharp as you age. This brochure offers tips and tools to help people aged 65 and over eat healthfully and be physically active. Talk to your health care provider for more specific advice if you have health problems or concerns. Remember, it is never too late to make healthy changes in your life.
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What is
healthy eating?
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A healthy eating plan for older adults includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods. In January 2005, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly released the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These new guidelines outline recommendations to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic disease through nutritious eating and physical activity. The recommendations include some of the nutritional needs of older adults. For more information about food groups and nutrition values, visit www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.
![Photo of a mature couple outdoors at a barbeque.](young_heart/barbeque.jpg)
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Tips
for Healthy Eating
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To help you stay on track with your healthy eating plan, follow these tips:
- Do not skip meals. Skipping meals may cause your metabolism to slow down or lead you to eat more high-calorie, high-fat foods at your next meal or snack.
- Select high-fiber foods like whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, vegetables, and fruits. They may help keep you regular and lower your risk for chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Choose lean beef, turkey breast, fish, or chicken with the skin removed to lower the amount of fat and calories in your meals. As you age, your body needs fewer calories, especially if you are not very active.
- Have three servings of vitamin D-fortified low-fat/fat-free milk, yogurt, or cheese every day. Milk products are high in calcium and vitamin D and help keep your bones strong as you age. If you have trouble digesting or do not like milk products, try reduced-lactose milk products, or soy-based beverages, or tofu. You can also talk to your health care provider about taking a calcium and vitamin D supplement.
![Photo of happy couple.](young_heart/eating.jpg)
- Choose foods fortified with vitamin B12. Many adults over the age of 50 have difficulty absorbing adequate amounts of this vitamin. Therefore, they should get this nutrient through fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals, or from a dietary supplement. Talk with your health care provider to ensure that you are consuming enough vitamin B12.
- Keep nutrient-rich snacks like dried apricots, whole-wheat crackers, peanut butter, low-fat cheese, and low-sodium soup on hand. Eat only small amounts of such foods as dried apricots and peanut butter because they are high in calories. Limit how often you have high-fat and high-sugar snacks like cake, candy, chips, and soda.
- Drink plenty of water or water-based fluids. You may notice that you feel less thirsty as you get older, but your body still needs water to stay healthy. Examples of water-based fluids are caffeine-free tea and coffee, soup, and low-fat or skim milk.
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Planning and Preparing Your
Meals
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It is easier to eat well when
you plan for your meals and make them enjoyable.
Try these tips:
- Grocery shop with a friend. It is pleasant and can save money if you share items that you can only use half of, such as a bag of potatoes or head of cabbage.
- Cook ahead and freeze portions to have healthy and easy meals on hand for days when you do not feel like cooking.
![Photo of Man in Store](young_heart/maninstore.jpg)
- Keep frozen or canned vegetables, beans, and fruits on hand for quick and healthy additions to meals. Rinse canned vegetables and beans under cold running water to lower their salt content. If fruit is canned in 100-percent fruit juice, drain the juice to avoid added calories.
- Try new recipes or different herbs and spices to spark your interest in food. Set the table with a nice cloth and even a flower in a vase to make mealtime special.
- Eat regularly with someone whose company you enjoy.
- If you are unable to cook for yourself, find out about a community program in your area that serves meals or delivers “Meals on Wheels.” Call the Eldercare Locator at 1–800–677–1116 for information on the program nearest you.
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Check with your
health care provider. |
If you have a problem eating well, such as difficulty chewing or not wanting to eat, talk to your health care provider or a registered dietitian. They can give you specific advice on following a healthy eating plan that addresses these barriers to healthful eating. Check with your dentist about caring for your teeth or dentures and your gums.
The death of a loved one or moving from your home of many years may affect your desire to eat. Talk to your health care provider if events in your life are keeping you from eating well. Sometimes talking to a friend or family member can help. You can also check with your church or local Department of Social Services to see if there are support services available in your area.
Many medications may alter the taste of food. If you have difficulty eating because many foods taste bad, speak with your health care provider about other options and medications.
Ask your health care provider if you should take a daily multi-vitamin/mineral supplement. No pills have been proven to “stop aging” or “improve your memory.” Taking a “one-a-day” type, however, may help you meet the nutrient needs of your body every day.
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What is a healthy
weight?
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Maintaining a healthy weight may reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. It may also help you move better and stay mentally sharp. If you are underweight, overweight, or obese, you are at risk for certain health problems. Ask your health care provider about a healthy weight for you. If you start to gain or lose weight and do not know why, your health care provider can tell you if this change is healthy for you.
Health Risks of
Being Underweight
- poor memory
- decreased
immunity
- osteoporosis (bone
loss)
- decreased muscle
strength
- hypothermia (lowered body
temperature)
- constipation
If you are underweight, you may
not be getting enough nutrients. Talk to your
health care provider about the best way to gain
weight and meet your nutritional needs.
Health Risks of
Being Overweight or Obese
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood
pressure
- high blood
cholesterol
- coronary heart disease
- stroke
- some types of
cancer
- gallbladder
disease
If you already have one or more
of these conditions, ask your health care provider if
a modest weight loss (5 to 10 percent of your body
weight) could help you feel better or need less
medicine.
If you need to lose weight, make sure that you reduce your total calories, but do not reduce your nutrient intake. Do not try to lose weight unless your health care provider tells you to.
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Tips for Safe Physical
Activity
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Physical activity is good for
your health at every age. If you have never been
active, starting regular physical activity now may
improve your strength, endurance, and
flexibility. Being active can help you live on your
own for a longer time and lower your chance of
getting type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and colon
cancer.
Whatever activity you choose, follow the
safety tips below:
- Ask your health care
provider about ways you can safely increase the
amount of physical activity you do
now.
- Take time to warm up, cool
down, and stretch.
- Start slowly and build up to
more intense activity.
- Stop the activity if you
experience pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
- Drink plenty of
water.
- When you are active
outdoors, wear lightweight clothes in the summer
and layers of clothing in the winter.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses,
and a hat for sun protection.
- Wear shoes that fit well and
are right for your activity.
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Getting
Active
![Photo of woman walking](young_heart/walking.jpg) |
Aerobic activities use your large muscle groups and increase your heart rate. They may cause you to breathe harder. You should be able to speak several words in a row while doing aerobic activities, but should not be able to carry on an entire conversation. Examples of moderate-intensity aerobic activities include:
- walking briskly
- water aerobics
- tennis
- housework or gardening
- active play with children or grandchildren
- dancing
To get started, pick an activity you enjoy. Begin with small, specific goals, such as “I will take a 10-minute walk three times this week.” Slowly increase the length of time and the number of days you are active.
You may benefit most from a combination of aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility activities. Build up to 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity cardiovascular or aerobic activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Try to incorporate balance and flexibility activities into your daily workout as well. Work toward doing strength exercises on 2 or 3 days a week.
Regular aerobic
activity can help you:
- Reduce functional declines associated with aging.
- Lose or maintain your weight
by burning calories.
- Lower your risk of coronary heart
disease and stroke by strengthening your heart
and lowering your blood pressure and
cholesterol.
- Keep your joints moving and
reduce your arthritis pain.
- Lower your stress and boost
your mood.
- Have more energy.
- Meet new friends by joining
a class or walking group.
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Strengthening activities require your muscles to use force against a resistance, such as gravity, weights, or exercise bands. Examples of strength training activities include:
- lifting weights
- household or garden tasks that make you lift or dig
- pushing a lawn mower
Doing
strengthening activities regularly may help you:
- Keep your muscles and bones
strong as you age.
- Increase your strength and
independence.
- Reduce your need for a
cane.
- Reduce the risk of bone
fractures and other injuries, or recover faster
if you are injured.
- Maintain or lose weight
because muscle burns more calories than body fat.
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Balance activities typically focus on the muscles of your abdomen, lower back, hips, and legs. They require you to control your body as you move through space to avoid falls. Examples of balance activities include:
- walking heel to toe in a straight line
- standing on one foot
- standing up from a chair and sitting down again without using your hands
- Tai Chi
- rising up and down on your toes while standing and holding onto a stable chair or countertop
Doing balance activities regularly
may help you:
- Stay steady on your
feet.
- Reduce the risk of a fall or injury.
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Flexibility activities help increase the length of your muscles and improve your range of motion. Examples of flexibility exercises include:
Doing flexibility
activities regularly may help you:
- Maintain the movement of your muscles and joints.
- Prevent stiffness as you age.
- Prevent injuries.
- Lower your
stress.
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Weight-bearing activities require your bones and muscles to work against gravity. They include any activities in which your feet and legs are bearing your total body weight. Examples of weight-bearing activities include:
- walking
- tennis
- climbing stairs
Doing weight-bearing
activities regularly may help you:
- Build and maintain bone mass.
- Reduce the risk of bone fractures.
Many activities give you more
than just one benefit. For example, doing aqua
aerobics using water weights gives you aerobic and
strengthening benefits. Yoga combines balance,
flexibility, and strengthening benefits. You do not
have to do four separate types of activities each
week. Choose what you like to do and round out your
activities from there. Remember, any amount of
physical activity you do is better than
none.
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Work physical activity into
your day. |
There are plenty of ways to be active without setting aside a special time for “exercise.”
The tips below may help you to add more activity to your everyday life.
- Take short walks throughout
your day. Try a 10-minute walk before breakfast,
at lunchtime, and after dinner.
- Clean your house or garage,
or wash your car.
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Be
good to yourself.
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Due to loss of loved ones, health problems, trouble paying bills, or other reasons, many older people feel lonely, sad, or stressed in their daily lives. Feelings like these may cause you to lose energy, not feel like doing anything, not eat enough, or overeat. Being good to yourself may help you to cope with your feelings and improve your energy level, eating habits, and health. Here are some ideas for being good to yourself:
- Get enough
sleep.
- Stay connected with family
and friends.
- Join a walking group, or
other social group.
- Surround yourself with
people whose company you enjoy.
- Volunteer or get active with
groups in your community.
- Try a part-time job at a
place you would enjoy working for a few hours a
week.
- Watch a funny movie and
laugh.
- Take up a hobby such as
playing cards, gardening, cooking, or
dancing.
Remember, it's
never too late to improve your eating plan, be more
physically active, and be good to yourself for a
healthier life. |
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![Photo of a grandfather playing with his grandson](young_heart/fly.jpg)
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Tips for Older Adults |
Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Across Your Lifespan
Young at Heart
- Eat breakfast every day.
- Select high-fiber foods like whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, vegetables, and fruits.
- Have three servings of vitamin D-fortified low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, or cheese every day. Milk products are high in calcium and vitamin D and help keep your bones strong as you age. Or take a calcium and vitamin D supplement.
- Drink plenty of water or water-based fluids. You may notice that you feel less thirsty as you get older, but your body still needs the same amount of water to stay healthy.
- Ask your health care provider about ways you can safely increase the amount of physical activity you do now.
- Fit physical activity into your everyday life. For example, take short walks throughout your day. You do not have to have a formal physical activity program to improve your health and stay active.
- Get enough sleep.
- Stay connected with family, friends, and your community.
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Additional
Resources |
AARP
Phone: 1–800–687–2277
Internet: www.aarp.org
American Dietetic
Association
Consumer Nutrition Information Hotline
Phone: 1–800–366–1655
Internet: www.eatright.org
Food and Nutrition Information
Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Phone: (301) 504–5414
Internet: www.nal.usda.gov/fnic
National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute
Phone: 1–800–575–9355
Internet: www.nhlbi.nih.gov
National Institute on
Aging
Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging
Phone: 1–800–222–2225
Internet: www.niapublications.org/exercisebook/exercisebook.asp
The President's Council on
Physical Fitness and Sports
Exercise: The Key to the Good Life
Phone: (202) 690–9000
Internet: www.fitness.gov/pepup.htm
U.S. Administration on Aging
You Can!
Phone: (202) 619–0724
Eldercare Locator: 1–800–677–1116
Internet: www.aoa.gov/youcan
U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005
Phone: 1–866–512–1800
Internet: www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Eating Well as
We Age
Phone: 1–888–463–6332
Internet: www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/eatage.html
How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label
Phone: 1–888–463–6332
Internet: www.cfsan.fda.gov/label.html
Weight-control Information Network
Fit and
Fabulous as You Mature
Phone: 1–877–946–4627
Internet: www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/mature.htm
Weight Loss for Life
Phone: 1–877–946–4627
Internet: www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/for_life.htm
![Photo of couple eating](young_heart/eating2.jpg)
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Weight-control
Information Network
1 WIN Way
Bethesday, MD 20892–3665
Phone: (202) 828–1025 Toll-free number: 1–877–946–4627
FAX: (202) 828–1028
Email: WIN@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.win.niddk.nih.gov
The Weight-control Information Network (WIN) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health, which is the Federal Government's lead agency responsible for biomedical research on nutrition and obesity. Authorized by Congress (Public Law 103-43), WIN provides the general public, health professionals, the media, and Congress with up-to-date, science-based information on weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional issues.
Publications produced by WIN are reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This publication was also reviewed by Tamara Harris, M.D., M.S., Chief, Geriatric Epidemiology, National Institute on Aging; Steven Blair, P.E.D.; and Yvonne Jackson, Ph.D., Director, Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs, U.S. Administration on Aging.
This e-text is not
copyrighted. WIN encourages users of this e-pub to
duplicate and distribute as many copies as
desired.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
NIH Publication
No. 02–4993
October 2002
Updated January 2007
e-text posted April 2007 |
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