Aging in Place

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Healthy Diet & Nutrition Eating is pretty simple, but cultivating and sticking to a well - balanced diet of nutritious food requires a bit more thought. It ’ s also key to maintaining your health as your age. While there is no one - size - fits all approach, there is general agreement that a diet largely made up of whole grains, vegetables, lean protein, and fruits - while eating less sugar, refined starches, sodium, and saturated/trans fats is important. The graphic below shows the recommended relative proportions for these major food groups. You might also consider working with a dietician to develop a nutritional plan to maximize your long - term health, especially if you have chronic or complex health conditions and/or are taking certain medications that can result in some unique dietary needs.

Does your diet generally reflect the proportions shown in the graphic below? Yes ___ No ____ Not Sure ____

Do you experience obstacles to maintaining a nutritious diet, such as lack of financial resources, or limited access to fresh and healthy food? Yes ___ No ____ Not Sure ____ Did You Know?

Have you ever heard the phrase, “ Eat the Rainbow ” ? This handy maxim emphasizes eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to ensure you are getting a broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are more effectively absorbed by your body through food than with supplements. Each color group, (red, orange, yellow, green, blue/purple, and white/brown) contain different phytochemicals that provide unique health benefits: protecting bone density, supporting heart health, and reducing cancer risk, to name a few.

Do you prioritize lean protein sources and whole grains when you eat from these food groups? Yes ___ No ____ Not Sure ____ Do you tend to eat a broad variety of fruits and vegetables? Yes ___ No ____ Not Sure ____

Fruits

Grains

Vegetables

Protein

Aging in Place: Your Home, Your Community, Your Choice

Health & Wellness

23