The Right Diet for Your Age
By Donna Stark
A healthy diet is a pretty simple concept. Just eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats and you are good to go, right? Well, yes. But also no, because as you age, the requirements of a healthy diet may change. In other words, the food you were eating in your 20s may not be what your body needs in your 70s. So, if you want to look and feel your best throughout the aging process, it's important to understand nutrition and embrace any healthy changes to your diet you may need to make.
Things to Look For
Life would be pretty darn simple if all we had to worry about was that old saying, "an apple a day, keeps the doctor away," but good health requires more than an apple in your hand every day. Don't forget to add these other important components into your diet too.
- Omega-3 fatty acids - Helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and cognitive decline
- Fiber - Helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity
- Vitamin D and calcium - Helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems, bone disorders, and muscle loss
- Vitamin B - Helps to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, dementia, and energy loss
Make Small Changes
In addition to giving your body the nutrition it needs with the right diet, there are also some other things you can do that can help. Take a look at a few of them here.
- Consider a multivitamin - Multivitamins and supplements are a great option for combating any nutrient deficiencies in your diet
- Try new things - Incorporate a variety of nutrient-dense foods to your diet and stop eating the same meals over and over again
- Head outdoors - Fill up on Vitamin D by spending more time under the sun
Choose the Right Diet
As you age, it may become difficult for your body to absorb vital nutrients, and if you are on certain medications, that absorption can be even harder still. That means you may need to change what you are consuming. You may need to eat more dairy, fruits, and vegetables and fewer carbohydrates or you may need to eat more fatty fish and less red meat. The important thing to remember is that confusion will never be your friend, so talk to your doctor or a dietitian about nutrition, medications, and any other concerns you may have regarding your body's ever-changing needs.
Aging With Good Health
Nobody promised the aging process wasn't going to be hard, but with the right kind of diet and proper care it can be easier. So, eat well, embrace change, talk to your doctor, and add more life to your years!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cumming, Ga.