Quick Tips to Healthy Eating

As you age sometimes you think, “I will have this pie and ice cream topped with caramel” with the “I am only going to live once” mentality. Occasionally eating a fun treat is fine, but if you make it a habit, it can become a problem. You should always try to maintain a healthy diet, and in the summer, it can be hard. However, the benefits of eating a healthy diet is best for your health at any age and especially as you get older.

5 Things You Should Include in Your Diet as You Age

1. Drink Lots of Water. You know water is good for you, and as you age, it is important. You need water to keep you hydrated to avoid infections that can set in when you do not drink enough. Many people lose their sense of thirst and dehydration sets in well before you think you are thirsty. Also, water helps flush the body and keep your body functioning properly; it is like the oil that is needed in your car. There are many benefits to your joints, brain and skin with lots of water in your diet. You can drink other beverages too, but stay away from beverages high in sugar and/or salt.
2. Plan Healthy Meals with Friends. Planning is the key to healthy eating. Some people think it sounds like work, but it can be fun. Schedule dinner at a new restaurant with a friend and try some of their healthy choices. Create a healthy meal and have your friends or family over. Food is always a great way to stay connected with others and planning healthy choices is good for you and your friends. It can be contagiously fun.
3. Eat LOTS of Fruits and Vegetables. Your entire life you have probably heard how important it is to eat fruits and vegetables. Nothing has changed. Fruits and vegetables are still important for you health, both physically and mentally. Eating a variety of fruit and vegetables are not only low in calories, but they are high in vitamins and minerals that help the body, especially as you age. For example vegetables like sweet potatoes, white potatoes, green beans, white beans, spinach, and many others have an abundance of potassium which is good for you blood pressure. Both fruits and vegetables are great sources of fiber which helps you feel full, so you don’t overeat. 
4. Watch the Labels & Keep Food Safe. Check your food often for expiration. Nothing is worse than getting sick from bad food. If you need to check your parents refrigerator and cupboards, do it! Food-related illnesses can be life threatening in older adults. When you go to the store make sure you not only read the expiration dates, but also look at the ingredients. Is the item loaded with added sugar or salt? Try to stay on top of your health by buying things that taste good, but do not harm you health with extra additives.
5. Talk to Your Doctor About Additives. Your diet should be the best source for proper nutrition to keep you body healthy and functioning at any age. As you get older, make sure to talk to your doctor about supplements such as vitamins, minerals or powder containing herbs. More is not always the right thing to do in your diet. Different additives can affect medication and your medical health overall.  Be smart if you are planning to diet as well. Make sure that your nutritional health is a big part of your overall health and discuss it with your doctor often.

The above tips may seem like common sense but when it comes to your diet, reminders are good for you. Do you want to learn more about senior living care? Contact Ann at Senior Living Options and she will help you with questions about your next stages in life or your aging parents.

Author: Ann Jamison

Ann Jamison is an experienced senior advisor who has successfully worked with hundreds of families to help them find the best care and home-like environment for themselves or their loved ones. Prior to launching Senior Living Options, Ann was an eldercare advisor for a national placement agency and served as sales director at a senior living community. Thanks to her 25-year career in advertising sales and marketing, Ann is able to discern between hype and reality for her clients. Ann recognizes that there are objective factors that need to be weighed when making a life-changing decision, but she can also assess the important softer attributes by getting to know her clients and by using the gut instincts that can only come through extended experience.