There’s no way to overestimate how important the food you eat becomes as you age. Once you become a senior, you’ll need to consume fewer calories, but more nutrients. That means that you have to be very mindful of what you put into your body. 70% of how people end up aging has to do with what they eat. That means that it’s never too early to start eating better foods. It will help you live both longer and better. The earlier you start the more benefits you’ll be able to enjoy from it.
The National Council on Aging has many suggestions on what types of food you should be eating on any budget. According to them, every meal should include:
- Lean protein (lean meats, seafood, eggs, beans)
- Fruits and vegetables (think orange, red, green and purple)
- Whole grains (brown rice, whole wheat pasta)
- Low-fat dairy (milk and its alternatives)
It’s also important to choose foods that are low in sodium and high in vitamins. That means you have to look at the labels and make sure that you’re getting the best food for your body. It can be tough at first, but you’ll quickly get used to it.
Coffee is Good
The National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study found that coffee drinkers of either regular or decaf were less likely to die from heart and respiratory diseases, stroke, injuries and accidents, diabetes and infections. Coffee may also help protect women from breast cancer and also protect against other cancers. Other research has found that those who drank two cups or less of coffee a day in their 40s and 50s had a 65% lower rate of developing Alzheimer’s than those who drank more than two cups a day. That’s something you never have to give up!
Cook with Olive Oil
The monounsaturated fat in olive oil helps lower cholesterol levels, thus decreasing the risk of heart disease. It may also help prevent diabetes by regulating insulin levels and improving blood sugar control. Olive oil also contains vitamin K, which aids blood clotting, and vitamin E, an antioxidant important in the creation of red blood cells. It appears to reduce arthritis inflammation as well. If you can get used to cooking with olive oil, then you’ll be doing something great for yourself. It’s more than worth it at the end of the day.
It Only takes a few Changes
It really only takes a few positive changes to make a big difference in your life. It will improve your life and increase your life expectancy. Most importantly, it will make your senior years much healthier. The more effort you put into it the more you’ll be able to get out of it. When you make these changes, you’ll have to stick with them. They’re simple and you won’t have to break the bank to make them happen. It’s the best gift that you can give yourself and you’ll be grateful for the benefits.