Your best diet may change as you get older. When you get older, your body begins to need fewer calories but just as many nutrients. Nutrient-dense foods pack a lot of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your body needs into a small amount of calories.

Eat the Rainbow

Try to include more of the following in your diet as you get older:

• Fruits and vegetables. While this has always been important, you should make sure the majority of your diet comes from these things as you get older
• Whole grains, like oatmeal, brown rice, and 100% whole wheat bread. Remember, this does not include products that claim “whole grains” or “made with whole wheat.” Check the ingredients list and make sure it says “100% whole wheat”
• Fat-free or low-fat dairy. This includes things like milk and cheese. Another good option is rice or soy milk that has added calcium and vitamin D
• Beans, nuts, and seeds
• If you eat meat, stick to seafood and other lean meats

You may have heard of “eating the rainbow.” This refers to eating different colored foods. The color of a food can indicate the type of nutrients it has in it, so by eating a variety of colors, you are getting a variety of nutrients. This is especially helpful advice as you age.

What NOT To Eat as You Age

Be careful not to fill your diet with foods that are high in calories without offering many nutrients. This includes things like:

• sugary drinks
• desserts
• butter
• white breads

These things can fill you up so you don’t want to eat the healthier things your body needs. Also, make sure you’re not eating too much salt. Be especially wary of the salt content in packaged and frozen meals.

Learn More About Healthy Aging

For more information about healthy aging, contact the Health Information Center. The Health Information Center is a library staffed by medical librarians and certified health information specialists. The Health Information Center can do research on any health topic and get the results to you for free. Contact them at 865-305-9525 or library@utmck.edu.

There is also a large collection of health books that you can check out covering a variety of topics, including the following:

The art and science of aging well : a physician’s guide to a healthy body, mind, and spirit

A man’s guide to healthy aging : stay smart, strong, and active

The new yoga for healthy aging : living longer, living stronger, and loving every day

The Health Information Center is located on the first floor the hospital. In addition to health information, you can find computers, printers, and a quiet place to take a break. Becoming a library member is free and only requires a picture ID.

Hours

Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am-9 pm
Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm
Saturday, 9 am-5 pm
Sun 1 pm-9 pm