Good nutrition is critical to health, functioning, and quality of life. It plays an essential role in the prevention or management of many chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Senior Services of Snohomish County Nutrition Program provides congregate and home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) to help improve the dietary intakes of participants and offer opportunities to form new friendships. Congregate meals are available in thirteen different Snohomish County settings where older adults gather – senior centers, churches, and low-income senior apartments. Meals on Wheels are delivered directly to individual homes of participants.

Meals served under the program provide at least one-third of the daily recommended dietary allowances established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences – National Research Council. All menus are planned and approved by a Registered Dietitian. For most participants, these meals provide 40 to 50 percent of most required nutrients (Ponza M, Ohls JC, Millen BE. Serving Elders at Risk: The Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs, National Evaluation of the Elderly Nutrition Program, 1993-1995. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research; 1996.).

The Nutrition Program also provides nutrition screening, assessment, education and counseling. These services help older participants identify their general and special nutrition needs, as they may relate to health concerns such as hypertension and diabetes. The congregate meal program gives older people positive social contacts with other seniors at the group meal sites.

Funding for this program comes from several different sources including Title III of the Older Americans Act, United States Department of Agriculture, United Way, Snohomish County, City of Everett, Medicaid waiver funds, and participant donations.

Aim....Build....Choose....For Good Health

AIM FOR FITNESS . . .
• Aim for a healthy weight.
• Be physically active each day.

BUILD A HEALTHY BASE . . .
• Let the Pyramid guide your food choices.
• Choose a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains.
• Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.
• Keep food safe to eat.

CHOOSE SENSIBLY . . .
• Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat.
• Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars.
• Choose and prepare foods with less salt.
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.