Diet for Senior Citizens

Fortunately, there are nutritional guidelines for seniors that can be derived from conventional wisdom. They are as follows:

Eat a variety of foods from five of the six major food groups (fruits; vegetables; breads and cereals; milk and cheeses; meat, poultry, fish, and dry beans) to obtain all the nutrients needed for good health.

Avoid foods high in cholesterol.

Limit total fat intake to less than 30% of your calories and keep intake of saturated fats to less than 10%.

Increase your intake of dietary fiber.

Be selective of foods that cause gas problems.

Prepare moister or softer foods, or smaller portions, if you have difficulty with dry foods.

Limit the use of salt and sodium compounds.

Increase your calcium intake, especially women.

Avoid too much sugar.

Drink at least eight (8 ounce) glasses of water daily.

If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.

Drugs interact adversely with certain nutrients. If in doubt, before you take them, find out.