The aim of the study was to find out what kind of needs and expectations ageing people have regarding healthy nutrition. Data were collected through thematic interviews (N=11) and analysed using qualitative inductive content analysis. The respondents ranged in age from 55–65 years. Our thesis is part of the International Bio Life -project (Business Innovation Opportunities – Life Improvement and food for the elderly), which aims to develop new products and services to support ageing people’s healthy nutrition.

The background studies used in the thesis have shown that it is difficult for ageing people to interpret the labeling. Studies have shown that lifestyle counselling can affect functional capacity maintenance and disease prevention.

The respondents in our studies were given information of healthy nutrition from nursing intervention, hobbies and the media. The respondents' information consisted of guidance of the way of life, disease-specific knowledge and awareness of the effects of food and nutrition content. Some respondents had inadequate knowledge of labeling. The factors affecting the decision to buy food were conscious cooking, the environment and habitat. The respondents did not know how to think of performance decrease. Impaired functional capacity caused the interviewees social, physical and psychological changes in buying decisions and eating habits.

The conclusion is that aging people in Finland want to buy Finnish, pure and healthy food which is simply packed and with no extra packing material. Suggestions for further research are how to improve the nurse’s role as a healthy nutrition counsellor.