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When many of us are younger, we may not think much about what we eat—a couple of slices of pizza before running off to softball practice? Sure! A half a banana before powering through a full day of work or classes? Why not? But as we age, our nutrition needs change—not only do older adults need fewer calories than younger people thanks to lower metabolism rates and a winding down of physical activities, but we also need certain nutrients that can help keep our bones, brain, and heart healthy as we age. And if you’re pregnant, nursing, or going through menopause, your dietary needs can change even more.
In general, the more plant-based food you can add to your diet, the better—look for a variety of colors on your plate, to make sure you’re getting the full rainbow of nutrients. Here, a list of foods that may help protect long-term health.
Sources: Harvard Medical School. Phytonutrients: ... + 2
- Harvard Medical School. Phytonutrients: Paint your plate with the colors of the rainbow, April 25, 2019.
- Harvard T.H. Change School of Public Health. Straight Talk About Soy, Last reviewed January 2022.
- Barnard ND, Kahleova H, Holtz DN, et al. The Women's Study for the Alleviation of Vasomotor Symptoms (WAVS): a randomized, controlled trial of a plant-based diet and whole soybeans for postmenopausal women. Menopause. 2021.
