Pilot Programme Teaches Healthy Eating to 500 Seniors in Singapore

Rosna is part of a group of 500 seniors participating in this pilot programme, which will run across NTUC Health's 27 Active Ageing Centres (AACs). The Stay Strong initiative aims to make healthy eating relatable and actionable using gamification and storytelling. Following an initial run in November, officials plan to expand the programme to other AAC networks around Singapore by 2027, targeting a reach of 10,000 seniors by 2030.

“This programme gives me more in-depth knowledge about nutrition,” said Rosna. “It is also fun learning with friends at the AAC, and we can remind each other to follow the health tips.”

Launched by FairPrice Foundation in collaboration with Tan Tock Seng Hospital and NTUC Health, the programme includes two sessions that emphasize essential nutritional priorities. Participants will learn to boost their intake of protein- and calcium-rich foods while also preventing common age-related ailments like osteoporosis, falls, and sarcopenia, which is the loss of muscle mass and strength.

Moreover, seniors will be educated on how to choose healthier groceries, understanding the Healthier Choice logo, and selecting low-sodium, low-sugar, wholegrain, and low-glycemic-index products. The programme features a storyline about Ah Bao, a fictional kopitiam uncle portrayed by local actor Sugie Phua, who interacts through videos to discuss food and nutrition dilemmas.

Additionally, food sampling, in partnership with NTUC Foodfare, will help seniors learn to enhance the nutritional quality of their meals. They will also receive practical resources for home use, including a “Healthy Da Bao Box” based on the Health Promotion Board's guidelines for a balanced diet and a 14-Day Stay Strong Challenge habit tracker to promote sustainable healthy eating practices.

Insights for the programme were derived from a Stay Strong study conducted in 2025 by FairPrice Foundation, which highlighted the nutritional challenges faced by seniors. The study surveyed over 500 seniors and their caregivers, revealing that while 86% acknowledged the need for better nutrition as they age, more than half struggled to identify components of a healthy plate.

My Healthy Plate by the Health Promotion Board suggests that a balanced diet comprises a quarter of the plate for wholegrains, another quarter for proteins, and the remaining half for fruits and vegetables. The research also indicated a gap between awareness and implementation, as seniors prioritized taste over cost and nutrition.

Retired project supervisor Tan Kien Soon, 73, shared his experience, stating, “I tend to finish whatever is left over so as not to waste food, but I’m now more mindful of the portions of different food I should take.”