Adults & Older Adults
Good nutrition is important at any age. Eating well can help you feel well and reduce your risk for, or help you manage, health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Use Canada’s Food Guide as your go-to tool for healthy eating. Aim to have plenty of vegetables and fruit, eat protein foods, and choose whole grains each day. Plan what you eat and cook at home often. Enjoy meals and snacks with others when possible.
Healthy eating is about more than what you eat. It also includes how you eat and your relationships with food, eating, and your body. This includes:
- Making eating an enjoyable experience by taking time to eat and focusing on your food. Limit distractions like screens and avoid eating on the run, when possible.
- Listening to your body. Paying attention to how your body feels before and during eating can help you recognize your hunger and fullness cues.
- Enjoying food with family, friends, neighbours, or co-workers. Food is a way of connecting with others and passing on traditions.
- Not attaching moral value to food. Labeling foods as “good”, “bad”, “healthy”, or “unhealthy” can negatively affect your relationship with food and how you see your body. All foods can fit into a healthy pattern of eating.
- Eating well to feel good. Choosing vegetables and fruit, whole grains, and protein foods regularly can benefit your health even if you don’t see changes in your appearance.
If you are looking to improve your cooking skills or get new recipe ideas, register for our Cooking with the Basic Shelf series.
Other Resources
- Take the Nutri-eSCREEN quiz for older adults
- Speak to a Registered Dietitian for free by calling Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 (weekdays from 9am – 5pm)
- Visit Unlock Food for more information on popular nutrition topics
- Our local Nutrition Directory can help you find a local Registered Dietitian or other nutrition services
- Use the Food Access Guide to find free or low-cost food and meal programs and services in your region
- Why are Healthy Eating Patterns Important for Older Adults?
