Eating right for life stages

Monday, March 1, 2021
Abbigail Sampson

For National Nutrition Month 2021, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends people adjust their eating habits to address the nutritional needs of their bodies during all stages of life.

“What works for you in your 20s won’t necessarily work for you in your 50s. As you age and evolve, so do your health and nutrition needs. It’s important to eat right for life,” said registered dietitian nutritionist Colleen Tewksbury, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Philadelphia, Pa.

In March, the Academy focuses attention on healthful eating through National Nutrition Month. This year’s theme, Personalize Your Plate, promotes creating nutritious meals to meet individuals’ cultural and personal food preferences. The Academy encourages everyone to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and physical activity habits they can follow all year long.

The new 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide authoritative advice to help people of all ages meet their dietary needs while limiting added sugars, sodium and saturated fat. The federal guidelines are issued and updated every five years.

“A registered dietitian nutritionist, a food and nutrition expert, can translate the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines to help people of all ages find the healthful eating plan that works best for them. Modest changes like healthful food choices and regular physical activity can help people manage or reduce their risk for chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity or heart disease,” Tewksbury said.

To find a registered dietitian nutritionist near you, use the Academy’s online Find an Expert service.

Registered dietitian nutritionists can show people how to use MyPlate, which provides practical, consumer-friendly tips to follow the key recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines. MyPlate recommends visualizing your plate as nutrient-rich sections with one quarter reserved for grains, another with protein-rich foods and the remaining half with fruits and vegetables, along with a serving of low-fat or fat-free dairy.

In addition to maintaining healthful eating habits throughout life, Tewksbury recommends the following tips:

• Teens to 20s — Build bone density by eating and drinking calcium-rich foods and beverages such as fat-free or low-fat dairy milk or yogurt or calcium-fortified soy beverages. Non-dairy sources of calcium include fortified cereals, beans, some leafy greens and canned salmon with bones.

• 20s to 30s — Reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease by eating more dietary fiber, including whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Women of childbearing age should include sources of folate, such as beans and peas and dark-green leafy vegetables, and eat foods fortified with folic acid such as breads, cereals and other grain products. A folic acid supplement may also be needed and should be discussed with a health care provider.

• 30s to 40s — Continue to eat a variety of nutritious foods, especially plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans, peas and lentils for vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fiber.

• 40s to 50s — Fine-tune your healthful eating habits and continue to incorporate regular physical activity as your body changes due to fluctuating hormones and slowing metabolism. Also, continue to focus on ways to limit foods and beverages with added sugars, salt and saturated fat.

• 60s and beyond — Continue to include a variety of protein-rich foods to maintain bone strength and incorporate strength-building activities to maintain muscle. Good sources of protein include seafood, lean cuts of meat, eggs, beans, tofu and nuts. Animal-based protein foods also provide vitamin B12, which is a concern for some older adults. Foods also may be fortified with vitamin B12 or a supplement may be recommended by your health care provider.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Purdue Extension office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events.

Upcoming Events

March 4 – Exploring 4-H kickoff, York Automotive Building, 6 p.m., please pre-register

March 10 – Wild Eats: Cooking for Flavor and Safety – Fish, 3 p.m., pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/wildeatswebinar

March 15 – Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options - virtual series - $25, register at https://tinyurl.com/2021APKnow

March 22 – ServSafe Food Managers online exam, pre-register by March 12 at www.purdue.edu/servsafe

March 24 – Understanding the Opioid Crisis - virtual on Zoom - 2 p.m., pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/opioidcrisisclayputnam

April 2 – Extension/county offices closed for Good Friday holiday

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