Facilitator Notes: According to the SMOG test, the following text is written at about a Grade 9 reading level, or literacy level 2 and can be read using assisted or choral reading techniques. In assisted reading, facilitator and learners take turns reading parts of the text, whereas choral reading involves reading together. These techniques are described further in Section 2 of the manual of the Nova Scotia Tutor & Instructor Training and Certification Program.
Learner Activity
Healthy Eating
Eating healthy foods is important at any age. As we get older though, our food needs change. We usually exercise less as we age, and our bodies tend to lose muscle and gain fat. This happens even when our weight does not change. Being overweight can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Continuing or starting an exercise program, and eating lean foods can limit weight gain and muscle loss.
Most of our vitamin and mineral needs stay about the same as we age. One exception is CALCIUM. Older adults need more calcium. If calorie needs fall, but other nutrient needs stay the same, the food choices we make should be good ones.