HF 588

Healthy Eating/Wellness: Healthy Eating Habits After Age 65

Choose nutrient dense foods. To get the nutrients your body needs as you age, choose foods that are high in vitamins and minerals.

Nutrient dense foods include:

  • Dried, canned, fresh, or frozen colorful fruits and vegetables

  • Whole, enriched, and fortified cereals and grains like 100% whole wheat bread, pasta, or brown rice

  • Low or non-fat dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and kefir

  • Liquid oils low in saturated and trans fats like olive oil, canola oil, and buttery spreads with no trans fats

  • Lean meat, nuts, dried beans, eggs

Eat a good source of protein at meals and snacks. Losing muscle mass, called sarcopenia, is a natural part of aging. Eating the right amount of protein can lessen the loss of muscle mass. This can also help you maintain strength and independence as you age.

High protein foods include:

  • Lean meat

  • Poultry

  • Fish

  • Nuts

  • Nut butter

  • Beans

  • Lentils

  • Soy products

  • Tofu

  • Hummus

  • Milk/Soy milk

  • Cottage cheese

  • Greek yogurt

  • Quinoa

  • Buckwheat

Eat less sodium. Eating a lot of sodium over time may lead to high blood pressure. This can cause heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Limit sodium to 1500 milligrams (mg) per day. This is equal to 2/3 teaspoon. Most salt in your diet comes from salt added to foods rather than from your saltshaker. If you have been eating a diet high in sodium, it may take 6-8 weeks to get used to a low sodium diet.

Tips to reduce sodium:

  • Read food labels. Choose foods with 300 mg of sodium per serving or less. Boxed, canned, or processed food items are often high in sodium.

  • Choose food products marked “low sodium,” “unsalted,” “no salt added,” “sodium free,” or “salt free.”

  • Buy fresh, frozen, or unprepared meats, fruits, and vegetables. Pre-mixed or prepared items may have sauces or seasonings high in sodium.

  • Research menu items before eating out. Most restaurants have a website that lists the amount of sodium in the foods they serve.

Add these herbs and spices to your food instead of salt:

  • Fresh garlic

  • Fresh onion

  • Garlic powder

  • Onion powder

  • Black pepper

  • Cinnamon

  • Cayenne

  • Nutmeg

  • Lemon juice

  • Vinegar

  • Low sodium/ salt free seasoning blends

Eat more high fiber foods. Fiber can promote colon heath and help prevent issues like constipation. Fiber can help control blood sugar and reduce cholesterol. Read food labels. Choose foods that have 3 or more grams of fiber per serving.

High fiber foods include:

  • Beans

  • Legumes

  • Nuts

  • Whole grains

  • Oats

  • Flax seed

  • Fruits

  • Vegetables

Switch to softer foods. As you age, you might have trouble chewing and swallowing. This can affect your ability to get the nutrition that you need. Choose nutrient dense soft foods.

Soft foods include:

  • Smooth yogurt

  • Boiled/Cooked eggs

  • Soft cheeses

  • Cottage cheese

  • Ground cooked meat or poultry

  • Bakes, broiled or poached fish

  • Soft-cooked or canned vegetables

  • Applesauce

  • Canned fruits

  • Soft fruits without skin

  • Melons

  • Peaches

  • Bananas

  • Hot cooked cereal

  • Soft breads, rolls, muffins

  • Potatoes

  • Squash

  • Pancakes

  • French toast

  • Desserts without nuts

Include foods with vitamin B12, calcium and vitamin D. As you age, you need more vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D. Medicines as well as aging can reduce your ability to make or use these vitamins. Eat more foods high in these vitamins and minerals (listed below). If you are unable to eat more of these foods, contact your doctor to see if you need a vitamin or mineral supplement.

Vitamin B12 foods include:

  • Milk

  • Fortified cereals

  • Grains

Calcium and vitamin D foods include:

  • Milk

  • Cheese

  • Yogurt

  • Soybeans

  • Kale

  • Spinach

  • Sardines

  • Salmon

  • Perch

  • Beef liver

  • Egg yolks

  • Fortified orange juice

  • Fortified cereals

Drink enough fluids. As you age you may not be able to notice thirst. If you do not feel thirsty, you may not drink enough fluids. This can cause dehydration. Dehydration can increase risk of falls, urinary tract infections, dental issues, kidney stones, and constipation.

Tips for staying hydrated:

  • Do not rely on your thirst. Keep a drink nearby. Make a habit of sipping on fluids throughout the day.

  • Include a drink at every meal and snack.

  • It may be easier to drink room temperature fluids.

  • Choose foods with higher amounts of water like fruits and vegetables.

Sip on drinks you enjoy. Limit high calorie drinks.

Save money while eating well. Here are a few tips to help save money while on a budget:

  • Make a shopping list before you go to the grocery store and only buy items on the list.

  • Plan meals and snacks in advance. This will help to organize your grocery list and pick foods that are on sale.

  • Review store flyer for coupons and specials.

  • Choose store brands instead of brand names.

  • Eat at restaurants that offer senior discounts.

Increase your physical activity. Regular exercise and activity can lessen the risk of some diseases. It can also improve appetite and support healthy digestion.

Look for nutrition resources near you. Here are some federal food programs for older adults with limited budgets:

The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program gives coupons to older adults with low incomes that can be used to at farmers’ markets. You can use these to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from certified farmers. For more information, go to https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wic/fmnp/senior.htm

The SNAP program, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (known as FoodShare in Wisconsin) helps people with a low income buy food. Find out more at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides a monthly food package of vegetables, fruits, grain products, dry beans and canned meats to eligible older people to add to their own food. Find out more at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/nutrition/csfp.htm.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program provides food from pantries or prepared at meal sites to low-income older adults who might not have enough to eat. Find out more at
https://www.fns.usda.gov/tefap/emergency-food-assistance-program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program provides meals and snacks to older adults in adult day care programs. Find out more at https://dpi.wi.gov/community-nutrition/cacfp/adult-care

The Meals on Wheels Association provides home-delivered meals to people in need. Find out more at https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org

Who to Call

If you have more questions, please contact UW Health at one of the phone number listed below. You can also visit our website at www.uwhealth.org/nutrition

Nutrition clinics for UW Hospital and Clinics (UWHC) and American Family Children’s Hospital (AFCH) can be reached at: (608) 890-5500.

Nutrition clinics for UW Medical Foundation (UWMF) can be reached at: (608) 287-2770.

If you are a patient receiving care at UnityPoint – Meriter, Swedish American or a health system outside of UW Health, please use the phone numbers provided in your discharge instructions for any questions or concerns.