Dieting After 60: What You Need to Know (2024)

Keeping a healthy weight is a worthwhile goal at any age. As you get older, it can get trickier.

You might not be burning calories like you did when you were younger, but you can still take off extra pounds.

The golden rules of weight loss still apply:

  • Burn more calories than you eat or drink.
  • Eat more veggies, fruits, whole grains, fish, beans, and low-fat or fat-free dairy; and keep meat and poultry lean.
  • Limit empty calories, like sugars and foods with little or no nutritional value.
  • Avoid fad diets because the results don't last.

There are some other things you need to do if you're over 60 and want to lose weight.

1. Stay Strong

You lose muscle mass as you age. Offset that by doing strength training. You can use weight machines at a gym, lighter weights you hold in your hands, or your own body weight for resistance like in yoga or Pilates. Keeping your muscle mass is key to burning more calories, says Joanna Li, RD, a nutritionist at Foodtrainers in New York.

2. Eat More Protein

Because you're at risk for losing muscle mass, make sure your diet includes about one gram of protein to every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight. "Protein also keeps you full for longer, so that helps with weight loss efforts," Li says. She recommends wild salmon, whole eggs, organic whey protein powder, and grass-fed beef.

3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Drink plenty of water. Sometimes, thirst masks itself as hunger. As you get older, you may not be as quick to notice when you're thirsty, Li says. She says you should get 64 ounces of water a day. You can drink it or get part of it from foods that are naturally rich in water, such as cucumbers and tomatoes. If you're not sure if you're getting enough water, check your urine: It should be pale yellow.

4. Outsmart Your Metabolism

Eat more small meals and snacks, and don't go much longer than 3 hours without eating. "Because your metabolism is already slow, if you're starving yourself, it just gets slower," Li says. You may need fewer calories than you did when you were younger. Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian about that. "If you're eating the same way you did when you were 25, you're definitely going to be gaining," Li says.

Dieting After 60: What You Need to Know (2024)

FAQs

What is the best diet for a 60 year old? ›

Eat a wide variety of foods from the five food groups : plenty of colourful vegetables, legumes/beans; fruit; grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and high fibre varieties; lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds; milk, yoghurt, cheese or their alternatives, mostly reduced fat.

How to lose 20 pounds at the age of 60? ›

  1. 6 Most Effective Weight-Loss Steps to Take in Your 60s. Eat less, move more. ...
  2. Start your day with protein. ...
  3. Choose farm foods over factory foods. ...
  4. Move at least 30 minutes a day. ...
  5. Cut down on simple carbohydrates, especially sugar. ...
  6. Stop eating at 7 p.m. ...
  7. Go to bed at least seven hours before you need to wake up.
May 17, 2023

How to lose belly fat at 60 years old? ›

Eat a healthy diet.
  1. Focusing on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  2. Choosing lean sources of protein, such as fish and low-fat dairy products.
  3. Limiting processed meats, as well as the saturated fat that's found in meat and high-fat dairy products, such as cheese and butter.

What is the best weight loss program for over 60? ›

Our Reviews Team rated the Mayo Clinic Diet as the best weight loss program for older adults due to its focus on making healthy lifestyle changes, well-rounded meal plans accommodating various dietary needs, and health coaching to help you stay on track.

What foods should I avoid after 60? ›

Focus on Health: 7 Foods to Avoid After 60
  • High Sodium Foods. Eating foods with high sodium can cause health issues like raising your blood pressure and fluid retention – which can lead to leg and foot swelling. ...
  • Fried Foods. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Empty Calorie Foods. ...
  • Caffeine. ...
  • Sugar-Free Foods and Drinks. ...
  • Raw or Undercooked Foods.
Sep 11, 2023

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.

What are the 5 foods that burn belly fat? ›

Five foods that may help burn belly fat include:
  • foods with soluble fiber like fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
  • foods with protein like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
  • fatty fish like tuna and salmon.
  • foods with probiotics like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
  • green tea.

How to speed up metabolism after 60? ›

While your metabolism may slow down with age, there are several ways to boost or increase your metabolism, even after 60.
  1. Resistance Training. ...
  2. High-Intensity Interval Training. ...
  3. Get Enough Sleep. ...
  4. Eat Enough Protein. ...
  5. Eat a Balanced Diet. ...
  6. Stay Hydrated.
Jun 20, 2023

What exercise burns the most belly fat for seniors? ›

Some great cardio of aerobic exercises for belly fat include:
  • Walking, especially at a quick pace.
  • Running.
  • Biking.
  • Rowing.
  • Swimming.
  • Cycling.
  • Group fitness classes.
Apr 25, 2023

What are the two vegetables that destroy stomach fat? ›

She said that artichokes and asparagus are the best vegetables to eat to reduce abdominal fat. This is because they are both rich in fiber and antioxidants, and they help maintain a healthy gut microbiome to support weight loss.

How did Kelly Clarkson lose weight? ›

Walking, eating a healthy mix of foods, and enjoying occasional treats are among some of the methods she's used to shed pounds. The singer also says she uses infrared saunas and cold plunges. “Walking in the city is quite the workout. I'm really into infrared saunas right now.

How to lose 20 pounds at 60? ›

Key Strategies for Losing Weight After Turning 60

Opt for healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. Exercise regularly. Stay hydrated, while cutting down on sugar and foods with little nutrients. Consult your doctor before making significant health or lifestyle changes.

How to lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks? ›

Strategies For Losing 10 Pounds In Two Weeks (More Realistically In A Month)
  1. Eat Fewer Calories. ...
  2. Avoid Processed Foods. ...
  3. Try Some High-Intensity Workouts. ...
  4. Try Intermittent Fasting. ...
  5. Lower Your Intake Of Sodium. ...
  6. Get Some Expert Help.
Jan 14, 2023

How to lose 20 lbs in 6 weeks? ›

Here are the 10 best ways to quickly and safely drop 20 pounds.
  1. Count calories. ...
  2. Drink more water. ...
  3. Increase your protein intake. ...
  4. Reduce your refined carb consumption. ...
  5. Start lifting weights. ...
  6. Eat more fiber. ...
  7. Follow a sleep schedule. ...
  8. Add cardio to your routine.

What is the best breakfast for a 60 year old woman? ›

So what should seniors eat for breakfast? A balanced meal of carbohydrates, proteins, and some fruits or vegetables is the best choice to make sure you get everything you need for a healthy start to the day. A mix of eggs, bread, and fruit is a simple and delicious idea!

How to transform your body at 60? ›

A combination of aerobic (walking, swimming) and strength training (weights) is best. Walking is one of the easiest activities to start. You don't have to do all 30 minutes at once. Try walking for 15 minutes twice each day.

How many calories should a 60 year old woman eat to lose weight? ›

Women over 50 tend to need fewer calories than younger women. Moderately active women over 50 may require approximately 1,800 calories per day to maintain weight. To lose one pound per week, you may need to reduce your calorie intake to approximately 1,300 calories per day.

Can a 60 year old lose weight? ›

Some are as simple as eating better and working out more, but there are situational factors that you can work on as well to make weight loss easier. It may not be as easy as it was a decade ago, but losing weight and living a healthier life is still very much an attainable goal for older adults.

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