Eating foods from all of the food groups (breads and grains, fruits and vegetables,
dairy, and meats or meat )
is one way of ensuring you get all the nutrients you need.
Too many sweets and fatty foods add UNNEEDED
and little else, so they should be limited. Some people need to limit their
salt intake.
, 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 bone
is saved if enough
calcium is eaten. Calcium is found in
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
.
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 .
FIBER is important to prevent
and is found in foods such as whole grain products, fresh fruit and vegetables,
and dried beans and peas.
Sometimes it is hard to fix meals for just one person. If you find yourself
not wanting to shop, cook, or eat alone, consider joining in with a family
member or neighbor. Also, there may be
in your community which offer meals for seniors.