The over 65 segment of the population is the fastest growing group. Until very recently there were few specific recommendations concerning nutrient requirements for these people. The report is available from the USDA as a PDF file, which means you need Adobe Acrobat to see it. However, as people age past 74 years, their diet quality slowly declines.
Fruits are good sources of fiber and several vitamins and minerals.
Dairy is the best source of calcium. Elderly need fewer calories and greater nutrient density in their food choices. Now when nutrition news gets confusing, there IS a place to go to get the real story. Our FREE daily email newsletter, Nutrition News Focus, helps you make sense of it all. It's written by Dr. David Klurfeld, Chairman and Professor of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at Wayne State University.