Healthy Eating for Older Adults

Eating right and staying fit are important regardless of your age. As we get older, however, our bodies require different nutrition, so it becomes even more important to make the right choices.

Healthy eating, regular physical activity and a positive mindset can help you live not only a longer life, but a more fulfilling and happy one. These important components can also delay health issues, including diabetes and high blood pressure.

How do you achieve this important balance?
It doesn’t have to be complicated. With some simple planning, you can ensure you are getting the right nutrition at the right time each day. Experts agree that planning out your daily menu using good food choices is key to success. Doing so will keep you on track and give you more dedicated time to the physical activities you enjoy because you won’t be spending as much time in the kitchen.

How do you get started?
The National Institute on Aging recommends making a shopping list. Doing so will not only remind you to shop for the foods you should be eating, but will help you stick to your food budget. They have even provided a handy “My Shopping List” with nutritious, healthy options to take with you to the grocery store.

After shopping, build your meals following a simple, healthy, balanced diet by:

Changing up your protein choices to include lean meats, fish, beans, peas and lentils, low-fat cottage cheese, pork loin and bison.
Making at least half your grains whole grains.
Making half your plate vegetables and fruits.
Adding in three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy daily (milk, yogurt or cheese) that are fortified with vitamin D to help keep your bones healthy.

Some additional healthy eating tips for seniors include:

Use less salt. As we get older, our sense of taste declines and we may reach for the salt shaker to add flavor to our food. This is not a good idea. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, too much salt can lead to high blood pressure and other health issues, like stroke, kidney disease and heart disease. Use seasonings that don’t contain salt, like fresh herbs and spices instead
Use less sugar. Not only are refined sugars empty calories, but they add no nutritional value to your diet. Replace sugar heavy foods with fresh fruit, yams and other naturally sweet foods.
Choose healthy fats. Fats are a necessary part of any diet, but it is important to reduce or eliminate saturated and trans fats. Healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids and nuts are all great choices.
Eat a variety of foods. It’s especially important to be aware of the variety of nutrients we are putting into our bodies as we age. Opt for a mix of lean protein, fruits and vegetable, whole grains and low-fat dairy products every day.

We can also help you right here at The Villages Health! Learn how to improve your eating and overall wellness choices at our Learning Center. We offer free classes and health screenings for the whole community that can help you achieve your personal health goals. Classes are free, but fill quickly. Be sure to invite a friend, neighbor or loved one. Registration is required.

Register for a Nutrition Class

Event	Date	Time	Location
Healthy Eating Out – Lake Deaton 20 space(s) remaining	04/22/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Lake Deaton Care Center
Healthy Eating Out – Colony 9 space(s) remaining	04/23/2025	11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Colony Care Center
Healthy Eating Out – Eastport 25 space(s) remaining	04/25/2025	10:00 am - 11:00 am	Eastport Care Center
Muffin Tops, Sugar Bellies and Chronic Inflammation- Mulberry 1 space(s) remaining	04/29/2025	11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Connections: MIND Your Food 6 space(s) remaining	04/29/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Muffin Tops, Sugar Bellies and Chronic Inflammation-Mulberry 11 space(s) remaining	04/29/2025	3:00 pm - 4:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Creating Healthy Habits That Stick – Colony 10 space(s) remaining	05/05/2025	11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Colony Care Center
Metabolism Matters for healthy weight management 9 space(s) remaining	05/07/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Healthy Meal Planning for Older Adults 7 space(s) remaining	05/14/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Healthy Eating Out – Live Virtual 10 space(s) remaining	05/21/2025	11:00 am - 12:00 pm	ONLINE
Importance of Sleep and Self-Monitoring (Best App’s) 7 space(s) remaining	05/21/2025	11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Eating Well with GERD/Reflux 9 space(s) remaining	05/21/2025	2:30 pm - 3:30 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Healthy Eating Out – Brownwood 10 space(s) remaining	05/28/2025	10:30 am - 11:30 am	Brownwood Care Center
Update on Fatty Liver 8 space(s) remaining	05/28/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Eating well to support Bone Health 8 space(s) remaining	06/04/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Healthy Foods for a Healthy MIND- Mulberry 9 space(s) remaining	06/11/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
DASH Diet 12 space(s) remaining	06/12/2025	9:30 am - 10:30 am	Brownwood Care Center
Muffin Tops, Sugar Bellies and Chronic Inflammation-Mulberry 11 space(s) remaining	06/18/2025	9:30 am - 10:30 am	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Eating Well with GERD/Reflux 8 space(s) remaining	06/18/2025	11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Hunger Rating Scale/How to Conquer Emotional Eating 9 space(s) remaining	06/25/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Healthy Shopping & Cooking Strategies (focus on food cost) 9 space(s) remaining	07/02/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Healthy strategies for eating away from home 9 space(s) remaining	07/09/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Food Label Lingo (focus on fish and seafood) 9 space(s) remaining	07/16/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Eating Well with GERD/Reflux 10 space(s) remaining	07/16/2025	2:30 pm - 3:30 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
What’s in our Food? (GMO’s, plastics, additives, emulsifiers) 9 space(s) remaining	07/23/2025	1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Mulberry Grove Care Center
Prevent T2 National Diabetes Prevention Program – Colony Care Center 11 space(s) remaining	07/30/2025	11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Colony Care Center
Prevent T2 National Diabetes Prevention Program – Colony Care Center 10 space(s) remaining	10/13/2025	3:30 pm - 4:30 pm	Colony Care Center
Medical Nutrition Therapy	12/31/2025	All Day
Nutrition Counseling – Follow-up	12/31/2025	All Day
Nutrition Counseling – One Hour Consultation	12/31/2025	All Day