We expect that our diet and appetite will change as we age, and to a certain point eating less as you get older is normal. Mobility issues may cause older people to reduce the amount of physical activity they do, and their metabolism may slow down which results in less calories being needed to consume. Despite this, it is still important to eat regularly.
Eating a balanced, varied diet which allows you to get the right amount of nutrients everyday helps us keep healthy, fight off sickness, keep energy levels up, keeps our minds working, affects our mood and many other important things. Regular meals also help punctuate the day, especially if you are living alone, or are unable to get out of the house often.
Having trouble eating regularly? The following tips could help:
- Eat meals at similar time each day to build routine
- Eat small meals more often. You do not have to stick to the "three meals a day" saying, eating 5-6 smaller meals a day is a good way to keep up calorie intake for those who have lost their appetites. Frequent small meals are also helpful for those with digestion, congestion or breathing problems where it is painful to eat large meals. Frequent meals offer more opportunities to socialise and be with others.
- Include small high energy snacks in your diet. So, while you may not feel like you are eating a lot, they will be able to help you keep up your energy throughout the day.
Find more useful information and resources about healthy eating on the following websites:
You can also explore more articles about maintaining a healthy lifestyle on our Knowledge Lab.
Updated: 3 Apr 2024