What Are the Healthy Diets for Seniors? 3 Best Diets for Seniors

In general, the best diet for older adults is one that is good for weight control and controlling conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. These include the DASH diet, Mediterranean diet, and MIND diet.

1. DASH diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension)

• Increased intake of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, whole grains, fish, poultry, and nuts
• Limited intake of foods high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and trans fats
• Limited intake of sodium, sugar, and red meat
• Helps control high blood pressure

2. Mediterranean diet

• High consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables
• Moderate consumption of fish, dairy products (cheese and yogurt), and wine
• Low consumption of non-seafood meat products
• Decreases the risk of high cholesterol, heart disease, certain cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease

3. MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH intervention for the neurodegenerative delay)

• Combines the DASH and Mediterranean diets
• Focuses on foods that can support brain health to lower the risk of mental decline
• Increased intake of minimally processed plant-based foods
• Limited intake of animal-based foods that are high in saturated fats and foods with added sugars

Good nutrition is vital at any age, and it is important to eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

However, your calorie requirements and overall needs change as you get older, and are more prone to developing certain age-related conditions. For example, guidelines for recommended daily calorie intake for younger vs. older people are as follows, although this may vary according to your level of physical activity:

With age comes more risk of obstacles to healthy eating, including:

• Chewing or swallowing problems
• Decreased appetite 
• Reduced mobility 
• Changes in smell and taste
• Fewer choices due to lower-income
• Medications that may make the mouth dry

Common age-related health problems may include:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Stroke
• Some cancers
• Anxiety, depression, and dementia

Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about the best diet plan for you according to your individual needs, overall health, and preferences.