As we age, our bodies require different things from us to stay healthy and happy. Nutrition plays a huge role in healthy aging and ensuring that our golden years are filled with energy and vitality. Here’s a look at some useful nutrition tips to make sure that you’re making the most out of your mealtimes and fueling your body for success.
Eat Plenty of Veggies and Fruits
Fruits and vegetables are brimming with vitamins and minerals, and are essential to maintaining good health. Eating an array of different colored fruits and vegetables will give you a balance of essential nutrients along with antioxidants and flavonoids. Furthermore, these lower-calorie foods are helpful if you’re watching your weight. Make sure to include a variety of both in your daily meals.
Eat Whole Grains
Whole grains—such as brown rice, oats, and barley— are chock full of dietary fiber. Fiber is great for your digestion, can help reduce your cholesterol, and can help to improve your gut microbiome. Eating whole grains can also help to regulate your blood sugar levels which in turn can reduce risk of developing diabetes.
Include Lean Protein
Lean protein sources like seafood, lean cuts of meat, poultry, and legumes fill us with the essential amino acids that our bodies need. Protein is great for muscle maintenance and also helps us to feel fuller for longer, making it a great addition to a healthy diet.
Choose Healthy Fats
Not all fats are bad. Adding in healthy fats like from fish, olive and canola oil, nuts, and seeds can be great for your body. These foods contain the nutrient omega-3, which is known to be beneficial for our heart and brain health. These fats are also great for keeping our skin healthy as we age.
Drink Plenty of Water
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water! Water helps keep us hydrated, and helps our organs to function properly. Try to make a habit of drinking 8 cups of water per day. If plain water isn’t your thing, try adding some fruits or herbs for flavor or drink unsweetened tea or juice.
Conclusion
It is so important to make sure that our nutrition is on point as we age. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein, and healthy fats can all help us to stay strong and healthy in our golden years. Eating with intention and being mindful of what we put in our bodies can do wonders for our overall wellbeing. Here’s to your health!