Food pyramid for seniors updated

A nearly decade-old food guide pyramid for older adults has gotten a makeover to make it more user-friendly and to emphasize the special dietary needs of people older than 70. Published in the January issue of the Journal of Nutrition, the Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults stresses that older people should be careful to get enough fiber, calcium and vitamins D and B-12. It also emphasizes the importance of regular exercise and adequate fluid intake.

Researchers at Tufts University in Boston originally developed the food pyramid for older adults in 1999. They revamped it in response to changes made to the federal government’s general Food Guide Pyramid -- which, along with a new look for the pyramid itself, includes an online component with which people can calculate their personal dietary needs based on factors such as age, weight and exercise.

Because older Americans are typically not as Web-savvy as younger people, the Tufts researchers created a new version of their food pyramid that contains more graphics and underscores the importance of certain nutrients for older adults.