Nutrient intakes of senior women: balancing the low-fat message.

Nutrient intakes based on six days of food intake were collected from 52 elderly Nova Scotian women. Mean reported energy intake was 1600 kilocalories, of which fat contributed 31%. Mean intakes of zinc and Vitamin D were below recommendations. Other nutrients of concern were protein, calcium, folate, and vitamins B6 and B12. Nutrition education efforts should be directed at assisting older people to maintain the generally recommended low fat intake, while stressing the desirability of a balanced food intake of sufficient quantity, which includes low-fat milk and dairy products, lean meats and legumes as sources of nutrients in low supply.