Eating foods from all of the food groups (breads and grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy, and meats or meat substitutes) is one way of ensuring you get all the nutrients you need.

Too many sweets and fatty foods add UNNEEDED CALORIES and little else, so they should be limited. Some people need to limit their salt intake. Alcohol, if it is used, should be limited to 1 or 2 drinks a day at most. Healthy bones need calcium. After age 30 or 35, adults begin to lose bone tissue, but this process can be slowed down if enough calcium is eaten. Calcium is found in dairy products and dark green, leafy vegetables. If you do not get at least 10 minutes of sunshine a day, you may need a Vitamin D supplement. Your bones need this vitamin to take in the calcium.

Older adults need to get enough iron, zinc, and fiber. IRON is important for healthy blood and is found in foods such as red meats, whole grains, dried fruit and eggs. ZINC, which is also found in meats, is important for maintaining taste ability and for healing. FIBER is important to prevent constipation and is found in foods such as whole grain products, fresh fruit and vegetables, and dried beans and peas.