The phrase “you are what you eat” has some weight to it… literally. The diet you maintain can affect your overall health including your weight, blood pressure, vitamin intake, and other health measures. What you choose to consume – and not consume – has an impact on your body.

Older adults should aim to have a healthy and balanced diet to ensure they are meeting nutritional needs. Adults over 65 may need to give extra attention to their diet. Your appetite, metabolism, digestion, and more can change as you age, especially if chronic conditions become present. While these ever-changing circumstances can make it more difficult to maintain a healthy diet, making healthy choices is even more important for overall health and wellness. The Cleveland Clinic recommends focusing on key nutritional elements for a balanced diet, including the items below:

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Step up to the Plate

What you put on your plate matters. The food you choose can give you energy, vitamins, and nutrients.

The Harvard University School of Public Health recommends the following Healthy Eating Plate Guide for balanced meals:

Visit https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/ to download a copy. Print it out and place it on your refrigerator as a reminder of your healthy eating goals.

Next steps

Ask your doctor about what dietary needs you should consider to boost your health and well-being. All Solis members can earn $20 by completing nutritional education through our Member Rewards Program. Ask your doctor about nutritional education. You can complete this health activity, and submit your Member Rewards coupon via the mail, over the phone, or online at https://solishealthplans.com/memberrewards.

Resources:

• https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/healthy-eating-for-older-adults-2019062016868
• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-age-better-by-eating-more-healthfully
• https://www.umh.org/assisted-independent-living-blog/bid/259804/The-Importance-of-Fiber-in-a-Senior-Citizen-s-Diet
• https://www.uclahealth.org/news/older-adults-risk-vitamin-d-deficiency#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%20helps%20the%20body,of%20both%20calcium%20and%20phosphorus