Soul foods for some older Americans

The elderly person brings with him a lifetime of food preferences. For him, nutritional adequacy is dependent upon continuation of similar underlying influences and the varying conditions which determine the food intake of any group. The significance of individuality cannot be minimized in assessing nutritional well-being and in developing a plan of action. Among the factors affecting food acceptance and health status are foods which are foods which are considered "soul" by some persons. Recognition of, and respect for, individual food preferences can be invaluable to members of the health professions in providing services to aging Americans.