Fewer calories, plenty of nutrients: Sensible eating in old age

For those who have difficulty chewing, try making easy-to-swallow meals like this hearty potato soup.

It's not only our appearance that changes as we age. Our metabolism also slows down, and the body loses muscle and bone mass. Older people should therefore adjust their diet accordingly, otherwise they could become overweight or malnourished.

What and how much older people should eat depends less on their age than on their level of activity, however. So it's not possible to make general rules, says Ulrike Grohmann, a nutrition specialist in Germany for seniors.