As people age, they need less food to keep them going.  This makes food choices even more imperative.  Gone are the days where you can get away with eating a slice of cake for lunch or a no-veggie dinner.  Balance and variety are keys to any senior’s diet.  Here are some tips to eating well as you age:

 1. Protein.  Protein is essential for a healthy body.  It is found in large amounts in meats, dairy, beans, and tofu.  If you have a portion of meat that is the size of a deck of cards, that is 50% of your daily requirement of protein.  Just be careful that you don’t over do it.  Eat too much and it can take a toll on your kidneys.
2. Carbohydrates.  Carbs are a valuable source of energy. Try to load up on complex carbohydrates, which will also give you fiber and vitamins.  You can find these in bran cereals, brown rice, and dried fruit.  There is little room in a senior’s diet for refined carbohydrates, such as white bread or cookies, so eat them sparingly.
3. Vitamins.  We need many different kinds of vitamins and nutrients daily to keep our bodies running smoothly.  Diversity of foods is important to get everything we need.  Fix yourself a colorful plate with several different kinds of foods.  Eat some fresh fruits and vegetables daily.  And try to incorporate fish into your meals weekly.
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Source: health.usnews.com