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Feature Articles: Eating Well Dietary Guidelines for Americans Older Adults and Other Populations:Special considerations and recommendations Greta Hopke, RD., Candance Gabel, MS, RD, LD, Associate State Nutrition Specialist, Ellen Schuster, MS, RD, Associate State Nutrition Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
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As adults age, calorie needs decrease, but nutrient needs stays
the same. A decreased intake of food and changes that occur with
aging can make it hard to fulfill daily recommendations.
Likewise, people in specific populations may find it difficult
to consume adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. The 2005
Dietary Guidelines for Americans provides recommendations to
promote a healthy lifestyle for aging adults and for people in
specific groups.
Recommendations for older adults
- People over age 50 should consume the crystalline form of vitamin B-12 supplement or eat foods fortified with vitamin B-12, such as breakfast cereals.
- Consume extra vitamin D from fortified foods and/or supplements.
- Older adults who participate in regular physical activity may experience fewer functional declines typically associated with aging.
- Consume fiber-rich foods to help prevent constipation.
- Aim to consume no more than 1,500 mg sodium per day.
- Eat foods containing potassium to meet the recommendation of 4,700 mg per day. Dark green and orange vegetables, cantaloupe, bananas, oranges, beans and tomato products are examples of foods that provide potassium.
- Avoid eating or drinking:
- unpasteurized milk or any products made from unpasteurized milk
- raw or partially cooked eggs, or food containing raw eggs
- raw or undercooked meat and poultry
- raw or undercooked fish or shellfish
- unpasteurized juices
- raw sprouts
- Eat certain deli meats and frankfurters only if they
have been reheated to steaming hot.
Other populations
- People with dark skin or those exposed to little or no sunlight should consume extra vitamin D from fortified foods or a supplement.
- People with high blood pressure, dark skin and
middle-aged people should try to consume no more than 1,500
mg of sodium per day, and consume 4,700 mg of potassium from
food sources. Examples of foods providing potassium include
dark green and orange vegetables, cantaloupe, bananas,
oranges, beans and tomato products.
Adapted from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture, January 2005.
Last update: Tuesday, August 08, 2006
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