Eating Well As You Get Older
Frequently Asked Questions
4. What amounts of food should I eat?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Humans Services recommend eating the following amounts of food if you are eating 2,000 calories per day. Remember to adjust the amounts depending on your daily calorie level.
A person who consumes 2,000 calories a day should have a daily intake of
- 2-2½ cups of vegetables
- 2 cups of fruits
- 6 ounces of grain foods daily. Consume at least half (3 ounces) of all grains as whole grains)
- 2-3 cups of fat-free or low-fat dairy
A person who eats 2,000 calories a day should have a daily intake of
- 5½ ounces of seafood, poultry, lean meats, beans, eggs, and nuts (one egg or ¼ cup of cooked dry beans or tofu equals 1 ounce of meat, poultry, or seafood)
- limited amounts of solid fats. Consume less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fats. Keep intake of trans fats as low as possible.
- limited amounts of cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars.