Nutrition for Adults

To stay healthy as we age, we need to consume foods with lots of nutrients and without the extra calories. Avoiding foods like chips, candy, baked goods, and alcohol will help you stay at a healthy weight as these have zero nutritional value for our bodies.

Nutrients that are essential for function and growth:

Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins are essential for providing the body with energy. Vitamins and minerals aide the body in staying healthy. Water helps regulate body temperature, prevent infections, delivers nutrients to cells, and helps keep organs functioning properly.

Having good nutrition can help prevent some diseases like osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers (medlineplus).

A healthy diet consists of:

• • Fruits and vegetables (choose different types and colors)

• • Whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread

• • Fat free or low fat milk and cheese, or soy or rice milk that have added vitamin D and Calcium

• • Seafood, lean meats, poultry, and eggs

• • Beans, nuts, and seeds