Eating healthy is an important part of healthy aging, but it can also be overwhelming. Overall, it’s a good idea to incorporate more fruits and veggies, choose lean protein, limit sugar, and eat more whole-grains. Choosing foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium are also a good idea. 

Even if you know how to eat healthily, deciding on what to eat and cooking it can still be difficult. Meal planning may be a good option for you if you are struggling to decide what to cook. Here are some tips to help you plan healthy and delicious meals. 

• Plan in advance. Planning your week or even month’s worth of meals can help simplify eating and help you eat lots of different nutritious food throughout the day and week. 
• Find budget-friendly foods. After planning your meals for the week, create a shopping list from that menu to help yourself stick to a budget. You can also check out these SNAP friendly recipes (link to https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/nutrition-education/snap-ed-recipes). 
• Consider preparation time. If finding the time to cook is a struggle or something you don’t enjoy, look for recipes that can be made in 30 minutes or less. Choosing pre-cut fruits or veggies can also help lower preparation time and is a great way to make cooking easier if chopping is difficult for you. 
• Keep calories in mind. Talk to your doctor about your weight, fitness goals, and the number of calories you may need before implementing big changes. 

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-meal-planning-tips-older-adults