After age fifty there are many metabolic and physiological changes which impact on the nutritional needs of an individual. The metabolic rate slows and can decline as much as thirty percent over a lifetime. This results in decreased caloric needs, which can be complicated by changes in an older person’s ability to balance food intake and energy needs.

Even with a decreased caloric need, many older people have difficulty getting sufficient calories, which can eventually lead to chronic fatigue, depression, and a weakened immune system. As we age, our body composition changes with a decrease in lean tissue mass (as much as 25%) and an increase in body fat. Such changes can be accelerated because older adults utilize dietary protein less efficiently and may actually need a greater than recommended amount of high quality protein in their diet to maintain lean tissue mass. These changes in metabolism and physiology can be exaggerated due to complications from digestive difficulties, oral and dental problems, and medication-related eating and nutrient problems. These problems coule be treated usinf healthy diets for elderly. 

Tips to avoid old age Diets problems:

• Exercise on daily basis; also include yoga in your regime.
• In old age diets, try and avoid oily and fried food. Instead have fibrous food to relieve constipation, which is common in old age.
• Since many people have denture problems in old age, avoid any food that needs lot of chewing for digestion.
• For having prper diets for elderly, remember, do not avoid fluid intake due to frequent urination. Take at least 8 glasses of fluid in any form like lime water, coconut water, soups etc.
• Always be involved in some activity. Avoid watching too much of television.
• Try and include two moderately protein rich food in daily diet. For example: curd + pulses or meat + pulses etc.