Food and nutrition for older adults

Medical News Today

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Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M.D., CAQ, FAAFP, Family Medicine , Women's Health , Geriatrics , Integrative Medicine , Clinical Research , Jurisprudence , — Written by Mandy French on June 6, 2025
Nutrition needs
Foods to eat
Meal planning
Sample menus
Summary
Food and nutritional needs can change as a person ages. Certain foods and vitamins are even more important for older adults.
As a person ages, their nutritional needs and caloric intake requirements change. To meet these new needs, it is important for them to maintain a nutritious and balanced diet and reduce their portion sizes if their activity level has lowered.
Eating a balanced diet and staying physically active can help support overall health as a person ages.
As people age, their bodies change, and so do their nutritional needs. For example, the body naturally loses muscle mass and strength with age. This begins around their 40s and declines more rapidly in their 60s. Losing muscle can contribute to the slower rate at which the body uses calories.
Bones also begin to thin as an individual ages. This, along with muscle loss, can contribute to a less active lifestyle. A person may also become less mobile and more sedentary.
Certain medical conditions and medications can also make it more difficult for the body to absorb certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12.
Older adults may need to consume more protein to help reduce the loss of lean muscle mass. It is also common for older adults to not drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. One cause of this is the gradual decline of the thirst sensation as they age. Therefore, older adults need to drink enough fluids to stay hydrated.
Older adults typically need fewer calories than they did when they were younger. This is partly due to the loss of muscle mass, and a slower metabolism also contributes to this need.
The following table shows the recommended caloric intake for people assigned male or female at birth who are ages 61 years old and older.
This compares to the higher needs of adults assigned male or female at birth who are between the ages of 19 and 60 years old: Males: 2,200 to 3,000, depending on activity level
2,200 to 3,000, depending on activity level Females: 1,600 to 2,400, depending on activity level » Learn more: Foods that support aging
Eating enough protein is important to help slow or prevent the natural loss of muscle that occurs with age. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) calculator can provide an exact recommendation for the amount of protein and other nutrients individuals need to consu me daily.
While it can be helpful to find a personalized recommendation for protein intake, the following table shows a general daily recommendation for adults assigned male or female at birth who are 60 years old and older. » Learn more: High protein foods
Eating enough fruits and vegetables is important to help prevent certain conditions and illnesses. Fruits and vegetables are also important sources of vital nutrients, such as: potassium
fiber
vitamin C
folate
vitamin A
The following table shows the general daily fruit and vegetable intake recommendations for people assigned male or female at birth who are 60 years old and older. » Learn more: Fruits vs. vegetables
It is important for older adults to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, help with digestion, and assist with the absorption of nutrients. They can also choose unsweetened beverages, such as 100% fruit or vegetable juice, low fat or fat-free milk, and fortified soy beverages.
Dietary guidelines recommend that older adults limit their alcohol intake. These individuals may experience the effects of alcohol more easily than they did when they were younger, which can increase their risk of falls and other injuries. » Learn more: Symptoms of dehydration
One reason some people may not get the amount of nutrition they need is that it is difficult to decide what to eat. Meal planning helps take the guesswork out of eating and ensures that people eat a variety of nutritious foods throughout the day.
When considering meals to plan, an individual may want to keep the following in mind: Preparation time: Some meals can be made in just a few minutes. However, if a person enjoys cooking, they may want to try meals and recipes that are a bit more challenging. When planning a meal, consider the preparation time and anything else going on at the time.
Some meals can be made in just a few minutes. However, if a person enjoys cooking, they may want to try meals and recipes that are a bit more challenging. When planning a meal, consider the preparation time and anything else going on at the time. Calories: Consuming the right amount of calories can help overall health and help a person maintain a moderate weight. Consider the amount of calories in the foods to be sure to get the right amount of nutrients. Always speak with a healthcare professional about any weight and fitness goals before making big changes. » Learn more: A guide to eating a balanced diet » Learn more: Healthy aging and why it is important
As people age, their nutrition needs change, so it is important to ensure they eat a healthy and balanced diet.
This can help reduce the risk of certain conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. It can also help prevent the natural muscle loss that occurs with age.
It is important to eat a variety of foods from each food group and remember that caloric intake requirements generally reduce with age.
A person can speak with a healthcare professional about ways to get the nutrition they need.
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