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Eating healthfully and having an active lifestyle can support healthy aging. Use the resources below to learn about different patterns of healthy eating and ways to create a nutritious meal plan.
Simple adjustments can go a long way toward building a healthier eating pattern. Follow these tips to get the most out of foods and beverages while meeting your nutrient needs and reducing the risk of disease:
It can be hard for some people to follow through on smart food choices. Read about common roadblocks and how to overcome them and check out the USDA’s tips for older adults.
Eating habits can change as we grow older. The USDA has developed Food Patterns to help people understand different ways they can eat healthy. The food patterns include:
Visit the USDA Food Patterns webpage for more information on each eating pattern and recommended daily intake amounts for each food group.
Answering the question “what should I eat?” doesn’t need to leave you feeling baffled and frustrated. In fact, when you have the right information and motivation, you can feel good about making healthy choices. Use these tips to plan healthy and delicious meals:
Some of the recipes available at MyPlate Kitchen include:
When you create your shopping list, don’t forget nutritious basics such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole-grain bread. This sample shopping list (PDF, 108 KB) includes a variety of healthy foods you may want to have in your kitchen.
Here are some meal options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, including links to recipes as well as simpler choices that can be put together without a recipe.
Read about this topic in Spanish. Lea sobre este tema en español.
USDA MyPlate
703-305-2060
www.myplate.gov
USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
703-305-7600
www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp
USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center
National Agricultural Library
301-504-5755
fnic@ars.usda.gov
www.nal.usda.gov/fnic
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP State Directory of Resources
www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory
U.S. Department of Agriculture
202-720-2791
www.usda.gov
This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.
Content reviewed: November 23, 2021
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An official website of the National Institutes of Health