FOOD GUIDE :                                                                                 

The Food Guide Pyramid is a general guideline to help children, youth, and adults eat a well-balanced diet. Everyone should eat at least the minimum servings from each group of the Food Guide Pyramid. This gives you a variety of daily vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. The Research shows that, varieties of foods have other naturally occurring ingredients, such as antioxidants and phytochemicals and decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease.  As your age, your lifestyle may be less active; you may sit more and perform less vigorous exercises or physical labor. Also, your body's metabolism may be less efficient or slower. These lifestyle and metabolism changes may cause weight gain and less efficient absorption of nutrients. Select more nutrient-dense foods with lower amounts of fat and sugar (empty calories). If you are having problems losing weight, limit your fat or sugar intake. Eat a variety of foods that are good sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
The following Food Guide Pyramid is recommended for adults aged 50+ to help plan their meals and snacks. Specific nutritional recommendations are based on age, gender, health status, and physical activity levels.  The new Modified Food Guide Pyramid for 70+ Adults include:

1.  Eat at least the minimum number of servings for each food group in the Food Guide Pyramid. Eat a variety of foods that are good sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It is important to eat nutrient dense foods with calories. Eating fewer foods or calories may be due to poor appetite, less activity, or medical conditions, which may result in weight loss.

2. Eat at least three servings of calcium-rich foods. Calcium and vitamin D are important to     maintain bone health. Drink eight cups of water as the base of the 70+ Pyramid. This is needed because of higher intake of medications and to prevent dehydration and constipation.

3. Eat fortified foods with vitamin B12; calcium & vitamin D. consult a doctor or dietitian, if you need a dietary supplement. Eat fiber-rich foods from grains, fruit, vegetable, dried bean and nuts.

NUTRITION:

Senior Citizens have unique nutritional requirements. Age-related changes in body composition and metabolism require seniors to keep a sharp eye on food choices. Here we offer choices, suitable for an integrated well-knitted senior citizens home, one of its kinds in South India

1. Bulletins -- bulletins on nutrition diet or supplements and
2. Nutritional Guidelines -- for senior citizens.
3. Fats -- how fats compare.
4. Vitamins -- vitamin supplements, should you take them?
5. Minerals -- our sea inheritance
6. Calcium -- especially important to older women
7. Salt-- potentially the "silent killer" of older persons.
8. Fiber -- not just for constipation anymore.
9. Water -- the forgotten nutrient
10. Meal Times -- good eating habits needed by senior citizens.
11. Food Labels and   Food Label Terms -- how to understand  & commonly misunderstood ones.
12. Food Additives -- protecting your food supply.