50+ Healthy Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best dinner for senior? ›

In general, older adults “need to make sure they're getting lots of fruits and vegetables, eating lean meats if they are eating meat, chicken or fish, and avoiding saturated fats and sugars,” says Marie Bernard, M.D., chief officer for scientific workforce diversity at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

An average serving of tuna or salmon will give you about 25 grams of protein. Canned and frozen fish are also great choices. Meatless Monday. Add in a plant-based meal such as a chickpea falafel, tofu added to a stir-fry, or a hearty five bean soup or chili.

Fried Foods

Fried foods are especially unhealthy for seniors as they are high in saturated and trans fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. Eating fried foods too often can contribute to obesity and other health issues.

Along with protein-rich foods, you should fill up on more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Eating whole foods can help you get more of the nutritional value, since over time your body becomes less efficient at absorbing nutrients. Nutrient-dense foods keep your body fueled longer.

After 50, it's more important than ever that you are eating well to get adequate nutrients. Healthy eating means a focus on the major food groups—fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and whole grains—and the recommended daily serving size for each.

Whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, poultry, fish, legumes, and grains, are packed with nutrients essential for maintaining a healthy body weight, such as fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

To lose 10 pounds in one week, you'll need to burn between 3,500 and 5,000 calories more than you consume each day by restricting your diet to small portions of nutritious yet low-calorie foods, and significantly increasing your aerobic exercise with interval training, sports, and other vigorous activities.

What is the best dinner to lose belly fat? ›

Losing 5 pounds a week comes to reducing your food intake by 3500 calories over seven days. The value that represents the decrease in calorie intake is known as the calorie deficit. If you want to lose 5 pounds in a week, you will need to reduce your food intake by 17,500 calories, which is a huge calorie deficit.

It is generally agreed that a balanced plate consists of one quarter proteins, one quarter carbohydrates and one half vegetables. ©Shutterstock/ifong. A very common piece of nutrition advice around the world is to 'eat a balanced diet.