Staying a healthy weight

What we eat can have a big impact on our health. Staying healthy through eating a variety of foods and keeping your appetite can help you as you get older.  

Unintended weight loss is usually a sign we are not as healthy or resilient to ill health as we would like to be. A number of things can affect your appetite and diet, including:

• A change in circumstances
• Difficulty shopping or cooking
• Loneliness
• Income issues

Research suggests one in three people aged over 65 are at risk of malnutrition through not eating enough.  

Eating well and staying hydrated 

It’s important to stay well hydrated, especially in hot weather. It doesn’t have to just be water, although this is best. All drinks (except alcohol) count and don’t forget you can also get fluid from:

• Fruit
• Soups and stews
• Cereal with milk
• Other healthy options

Resources

Useful information and recipe ideas:

• British Nutrition Foundation - Eating well and staying hydrated in older age
• View our Healthy eating and nutrition resource pack on the healthy eating page

Further information

If you are worried about your weight or someone you know is losing weight when they are not trying to, speak to your GP. 

The NHS provides guidance about keeping your weight up in later life. 

You can find out more about community meal options in the borough by visiting CarePlace. 

For more information on why it's important to stay a healthy weight, see our handy one page guide.