Local senior nutrition centers encourage healthy, social eating

March is National Nutrition Month and this year?s theme "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right," encourages everyone to take time to enjoy food traditions and appreciate the pleasures, great flavors and social experiences food can add to our lives.

How, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. Develop a mindful eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods.

For older adults, the benefits of healthy eating include increased mental acuteness, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, faster recuperation times, and better management of chronic health problems. As the body ages, eating well can also be the key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced. But healthy eating doesn?t have to be about dieting and sacrifice. Eating well as an older adult is all about fresh, colorful food, creativity in the kitchen and eating with friends.

A good way to ?savor the flavor? is eating at a Senior Meal Center. Milestones Area Agency on Aging facilitates 60 locations in their 17 county service area. Each center is unique and strives to improve quality of life by providing opportunities to come together to socialize, to help connect to community resources, to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle and to obtain a nutritious meal.

Anyone age 60-plus, along with their spouse of any age, is welcome to dine at a Senior Nutrition Center, regardless of income. Meals are funded in part by the Older Americans Act and with voluntary contributions by age-eligible participants. Service will not be denied based on level of contribution. Homebound seniors in most areas can also enjoy a hot, nutritious meal delivered right to their home.

The following are a list of Senior Nutrition Centers in the Henry County area:

?Senior Deli Dining at Hy-Vee, 1700 E. Washington St., in Mt. Pleasant

?Salem Community Center, 201 S. Main St., in Salem

?Veterans Building, 116 N. Locust, in Winfield

For more information, visit www.milestonesaaa.org.