Aging is often accompanied by a decrease in appetite because the body expends less energy performing daily activities. This is a perfectly normal occurrence. Aging can also lead to lifestyle changes. You may find that you eat or cook alone more often, that you have more difficulty chewing certain foods or that you have trouble getting to the grocery store. However, despite these changes, it is important to eat well.
Make sure that you include a variety of nutritious food in your meals and snacks and that you adopt healthy eating habits such as those recommended by Canada’s Food Guide. Go to the page Healthy eating to find out more.
You should drink water throughout the day too. Water is the best way to quench your thirst. Drink water instead of 100% pure fruit juice, fruit drinks, soft drinks and other sugary drinks. Go to the page Water, the drink of choice to stay hydrated to find out more.
This will allow you to meet your body’s needs, have energy and stay healthy.
Help and support resources
Ressource d’aide et de soutien
Info-Santé 811 is a telephone consultation service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, everywhere in Québec.
Resources for care and services
Some services are offered at home. To obtain information on nutrition and available services, contact one of the following resources:
- Your family doctor
- Your CLSC
- The meals-on-wheels
program nearest you (website in French only)
Helpful websites
Visit the following websites for additional information on nutrition for seniors and tips for planning meals:
- Seniors section
Dietitians of Canada - Seniors section - Extenso
Centre de référence sur la nutrition de l’Université de Montréal (website in French only) - Healthy eating for seniors
Governement of Canada - Regroupement des cuisines collectives du Québec
Last update: October 8, 2019
