What’s the Secret to Eating Well After 50?
After 50, it’s more important than ever that you are eating well to get adequate nutrients. As we age, our weakening immune systems and other factors make us more prone to chronic conditions, falls, hospital stays, and illness. Proper nutrition can help to prevent—or diminish the dangers—of these age-related risks. Use the tips below to help make healthy eating choices this year, even if you’re on a tight budget.
1. Know what a healthy plate looks like and follow recommended servings: Filling your plate with the right food is key, especially if you’re age 50+. Healthy eating means a focus on the major food groups—fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and whole grains—and the recommended daily serving size for each. The MyPlate Plan, created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is a free resource that helps you see how the food groups should stack up based on your sex, height, weight, and level of physical activity.
Excerpted from the National Council on Aging
