It is as important to your good health to eat well as it is to get regular exercise. But what does that mean to aging adults? Depending on your age and your level of activity, your calorie intake will vary. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a moderately active woman over age 50 should consume about 1,800 calories a day to stay at her current weight. For an older man, that number is 2,200 to 2,400.

Eating well may help you stay healthy longer by reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, bone loss, some types of cancer and anemia. If you are already battling one of these diseases, eating well, along with being physically active, can help you better manage them. If an older adult is overweight, it could put them at an even greater risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Below are 4 tips for eating well:

• Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean sources of protein and dairy products
• Eat food that is low in added sugars and solid fats
• Eat food that is lower in sodium
• Eat less processed foods, such as lunchmeat or frozen entrees

Eating well doesn’t mean giving up food that tastes good. It is simply a matter of finding good food that tastes great. “At Naperville Senior Center, we have healthy, nutritious meals,” said Executive Director Pam Cooper, “but we want our members to remember them because they taste great.”

Contact us to schedule a FREE 3-hour trial at our facility so you can see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, Home Away From Home.