Adherence
In older adults (61+ years), a low variety of energy-dense foods predicts lower energy intake and lower BMI, while a high variety of micronutrient-dense foods counterbalances age-related micronutrient deficiencies.
If you are over 60 and struggling to maintain weight or energy, do not restrict your diet to only 'healthy' low-calorie foods. Increasing the variety of energy-dense foods (like those with some fat/carbs) can help increase energy intake and BMI. Conversely, to ensure you get enough vitamins, you must eat a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods (fruits, veggies, dairy, grains), as older bodies are less efficient at absorbing nutrients.
consumption of a low variety of energy-dense foods may contribute to reduced energy intake and body weight at any age... consumption of a particularly wide variety of micronutrient-rich foods helped counterbalance these trends
Why this rating
Large national sample (n=1174), rigorous exclusion of implausible data, but cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
Source
Dietary Variety Predicts Low Body Mass Indexand Inadequate Macronutrient and MicronutrientIntakes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Susan B. Roberts et al. · The Journals of Gerontology Series A · 2005
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