The High Council for Public Health (HCSP) is issuing new dietary recommendations to enable people over 75 to stay healthy.
- Total life expectancy at age 65 is 23.5 years for women and 19.6 years for men in 2019.
- Nevertheless, disability-free life expectancy at age 65 was estimated in 2018 at 11.2 years for women and 10.1 years for men, with an improvement since 2008.
While this segment of the population sometimes tends to no longer pay attention to what it eats, the HCSP updates the dietary guidelines for people over 75. In particular, he recommends increasing protein intake and taking into account the notion of the pleasure of eating.
Two to three dairy products a day
“All food must be sufficient in quality and quantity, respecting regular meals”, say public health experts. “These new dietary guidelines are intended to prevent undernutrition and the decline in strength and muscle mass”they continue.
Specifically, experts recommend eating daily: 5 fruits and vegetables (1), whole grains, protein (2), and two to three dairy products (3). Consuming legumes at least twice a week is also recommended. Conversely, scientists recommend avoiding meats, fats and sweets as much as possible.
1.5 liters of water per day
To stay hydrated, the HSCP recommends drinking 1.5 liters of water a day, and “limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages to less than 10 drinks per week, 2 drinks per day and no more than 5 days per week”. To age in good health, experts point out that it is important, in addition to a balanced diet, “to maintain appropriate physical activity”.
Demographic projections for France show a gradual aging of the French population, with a very significant increase in age groups over 65 and in particular those over 75 in the coming decades. If the demographic trends observed so far continue, the share of the population over 75 could increase considerably, from 9.3% of the population in 2020 to 14.6% in 2040 and 17.9% in 2070, i.e. a doubling compared to 2013 (corresponding to 13.7 million people aged 75 and over in 2070).
1) Recommended portion sizes are 80g to 100g.
2) By varying the sources: egg, meat, tofu…
3) Recommended portion sizes are 150 mL milk, 125 g yogurt, 30 g cheese.
.
