Should you eat less calories as you age?

Author: Abagail McKenzie III  |  Last update: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Older adults generally have lower calorie needs, but similar or even increased nutrient needs compared to younger adults. This is often due to less physical activity, changes in metabolism, or age-related loss of bone and muscle mass.

Should you eat less calories as you get older?

Inflammation becomes more common as you age, so reducing calories could help you avoid or minimize age-related inflammation. The study also showed that eating fewer calories increased metabolism. And most participants were able to maintain their muscle strength even if they lost muscle mass and weight.

At what age do we begin to need fewer calories?

A 170-pound woman who walks for 60 to 80 minutes each day, for example, would need 2,450 calories per day at age 20 — at age 60, however, that would drop to 2,150, and at 80 it would be 2,000. This age-related drop in calorie burn is usually most noticeable in your 60s and beyond, Dr.

Does eating less calories make you age slower?

brief summary: A study published in the journal Nature Aging has found that reducing calorie intake can slow the pace of aging and increase longevity in healthy adults.

Is 1200 calories enough for a 60 year old woman?

Yes. Yes 1200 would absolutely be plenty! There are physician-monitored diets that go well below 800 calories a day. No one is going to recommend it without such close monitoring but it is a thing because depending on a whole host of factors including who you are and what you eat, 1200 can absolutely be plenty.

The CRONA Study: How Calorie Restriction Affects Aging and Health

How long will it take to lose 30 pounds on a 1200 calorie diet?

In summary, losing thirty pounds on a 1200 calorie diet plan could realistically take around six months if all conditions remain favorable; however individual experiences may vary greatly!

What are 5 foods that seniors should eat?

What to eat
  • fruit and vegetables.
  • potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy foods.
  • dairy and alternatives.
  • beans, pulses, fish, eggs and other proteins.
  • oils and spreads.

Why do people who eat less live longer?

Leanness for longevity

In one of the most comprehensive clinical trials of a low-calorie diet in healthy, non-obese individuals, researchers found5 that the intervention helped to dial down metabolic rates — a short-term effect thought to signal longer-term benefits for lifespan.

What diet makes you age slower?

The Mediterranean Diet Slows Down the Progression of Aging and Helps to Prevent the Onset of Frailty: A Narrative Review - PMC.

How many calories should seniors eat?

If you're not physically active: Aim for at least 1,600 calories per day. You're “not active” if you don't intentionally exercise or at least do some moderate to brisk walking every day. If you're moderately active: Strive to eat around 1,800 calories per day.

Why is it harder to lose weight as you age?

As we age, metabolism — how the body gets energy from food — can change. This means that some older adults must become more active or eat fewer calories to maintain or achieve their ideal weight. Other older adults may lose weight unintentionally.

What is the most common cause of being overweight?

Diet and lifestyle factors contribute to development of obesity and overweight. Some of the most common ones are: eating large amounts of processed or fast food – this is food that's high in fat and sugar. drinking too much alcohol – alcohol contains a lot of calories.

Is it better to eat less calories or more?

If you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight. And if you eat fewer calories and burn more calories through physical activity, you lose weight. In the past, research found about 3,500 calories of energy equaled about 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) of fat.

Why is my body holding onto weight?

Your Metabolism Will Slow Down to Store Fat

The more you work out or manage your calorie intake to lose weight, the more your metabolism wants to compensate by slowing down to maintain your current weight, this is called metabolic compensation. It kicks in to preserve and store fat for future energy.

How many calories are in 2 eggs?

Egg Nutrition

Eggs are one of nature's most nutritious foods. Two large eggs contain 16 essential vitamins and minerals and only 160 calories and an incredible amount of nutrition.

Is 1500 calories enough daily?

The estimated daily calorie needs suggest that, in order to maintain their weight, the average person will need to consume more than 1,500 calories per day. Consuming less than this may result in weight loss.

Do you age slower if you eat less?

Previous research from the CALERIE trial has found that calorie restriction can slow the pace of aging in adults by 2 to 3 percent — enough to reduce the risk of death by 10 to 15 percent. Other research indicates that cutting calories can decrease DNA damage and improve heart health, sleep and sexual function.

Does intermittent fasting really work or shrink your life expectancy?

Some studies provide reason to believe that calorie restriction and intermittent fasting will help you live longer, and there are likely shorter-term benefits, particularly when it comes to heart and metabolic health. But it's also possible that eating less might not do much more than leave you hungry.

What diet makes you live the longest?

Certain eating patterns such as the Mediterranean Diet, healthy plant-based diets, or the Okinawan Diet, are rich in whole foods and have been linked to reduced disease risk and improved longevity. Hu said that people can mix and match elements of these diets—or use their basic principles to create something new.

What is the one fruit all seniors should eat?

Raw Grapefruit

It is also low in calories and high in water content, making it a great choice for seniors who may be trying to manage their weight. Grapefruit also helps to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, is a good source of lycopene, which can aid in cancer prevention, and helps to reduce inflammation.

What is the best breakfast for seniors?

We've provided our top 9 healthy breakfast choices for some morning meal inspiration.
  • Oats and Berries. Porridge is a quick and easy meal to prepare and can be enjoyed any time of the year. ...
  • Weetabix. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Yoghurt, Fruit and Granola. ...
  • Healthy Pancakes. ...
  • Smoothies and Juices. ...
  • Tofu Scramble. ...
  • Avocado Toast.

Why not eat blueberries after 60?

While you might not have known about avoiding grapefruit, you may have heard of another food myth—that adults should avoid blueberries after 60. The idea that blueberries are bad for people over 60 isn't true. In reality, blueberries can provide a number of health benefits.

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