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After the age of 60 caloric requirements tend to decrease, while the quality of nutrients must, on the contrary, increase. Physiologically the body undergoes changes due to aging: the mass of bone and muscle diminishes, the liver decreases in weight, body fat tends to increase.
 Eating during this stage of life is tied to various factors: environment, solitude, physical activity, mental condition, social status, money, the ability to chew. Persons not particularly attracted by food will choose, whenever possible, those that are complete and compatible with their needs. Elderly persons have caloric needs that are lower than those of youngsters and younger adults. A well-balanced diet for elderly persons will contain 25%-30% of calories from vegetable fats, above all monounsaturated, to reduce cholesterol as much as possible.
Olive Oil in old age:
Elderly persons may also experience lack of appetite, difficult digestion, bad absorption of vitamins and minerals, constipation. In each of these situations olive oil is the ideal fat. It is highly digestible, has a mild laxative effect, whets the appetite, contains a good quantity of essential fatty acids, aids the absorption of vitamins.
Nutritional Suggestions
Caloric requirements:
A great many nutritionists advise the following regimen for the elderly:
- include in the daily diet between 80 to 120 gr (2.8-4.2 oz) of animal proteins, from the meat/eggs/fish and the milk/ yogurt/cheese groups;
- increase the consumption of milk products in order to satisfy the body's greater need of calcium to prevent osteoporosis and deter the progress of arthritis;
- limit the use of cooked animal fats and complicated sauces; use olive oil for its easier digestibility and for its antioxidants;
- include red meats, liver and vegetables in the diet, to assure adequate intake of iron;
- eat regularly, fresh vegetables and ripe fruit (kiwi, citrus fruits, pineapple, strawberries, etc.) rich in C and A vitamins;
- use moderate amounts of salt, because sodium chloride quickens aging of arteries and kidneys;
- limit the use of simple sugars;
- drink at least 1-1.5 liters (1-1.5 qt.) of water a day, above all in the morning, to help the kidneys with their function of purifying the blood, etc.;
- eat every day bread, pasta and other carbohydrates, and legumes if they are well tolerated by your intestine;
- return to the habit of infancy, i.e. eat light, frequent meals, without neglecting breakfast.
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