Seniors
Healthy eating and chronic diseases
- Studies show that a good diet in your later years reduces your risk of developing osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, and other chronic diseases.
- If you have a chronic disease, eating healthy and a maintaining a healthy weight can help you manage your disease successfully. Use the BMI calculator to find out where you fall on the Body Mass Index chart. BMI calculator
You can do it!
- A limited budget, transportation, and physical problems can all be barriers to eating healthy. Learn how to overcome these barriers.
- Your local Senior Services Center can also help and may even offer food and nutrition programs free of charge. In Reno, call 328-2575; in Sparks, call 353-3110. Or visit the Washoe County Senior Services Nutrition Resources website
Q & A
Q: I’m on a fixed budget and cannot afford lots of food. What are healthy foods I can eat that are not expensive?
A: Food staples like rice and beans are great examples of foods that are inexpensive and good for you. A casserole with brown rice as the main ingredient or dried beans that are cooked in a crock-pot can be very nutritious, filling, and affordable. Buying fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season can also be an affordable way to add vitamins and fiber to your diet. There are resources in most communities that can help with access to food for seniors if they meet income requirements. In Reno, call 328-2575; in Sparks, call 353-3110, or visit the Washoe County Senior Services website for nutrition.
To learn more, go to:
- The National Institute on Aging information on eating well as you get older.
