Senior Nutrition

As you age, some foods may be better than others for staying healthy and reducing your chance of illness. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University created MyPlate for Older Adults to highlight the unique nutritional and physical activity needs of people as they age.

Like the federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, MyPlate recommends limiting foods that are high in trans fats and saturated fats, limiting salt and added sugars, and eating plenty of whole grains. Many health issues associated with aging can be controlled and delayed by eating healthier.

You can find trusted nutrition information in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which contain advice about what and how much to eat and which foods to avoid. Every 5 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services use the latest nutrition research to develop these Guidelines that encourage people to eat healthier.