Healthful eating habits are essential for everyone, but it is even more critical as we age and reach our mid-life years. Healthy eating habits are necessary for maintaining a positive outlook, good health, and emotional balance. Healthy eating does not have to mean sacrificing your health or making sacrifices. It should be about eating healthy food and enjoying good company.
It doesn’t matter what age you are or how your eating habits were in the past; it is always possible for you to change and improve your outlook on life. Improving your diet now can help you to:
You will live longer and be more resilient. Good nutrition can increase immunity, fight disease-causing toxins, and lower the risk of stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, and type-2 diabetes. It also helps to reduce the chance of bone loss and cancer. A balanced diet and regular physical activity can help you live independently as you age.
Sharpen your mind. Eaters of omega-3 fatty acid-rich fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts may find it easier to focus and lessen their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Green tea, rich in antioxidants, may help you retain your memory and increase mental alertness as you age.
Feel better. Healthy meals can boost your energy levels and make you feel better. It all comes down to this: When your body feels good, it makes you happier.
Healthy eating goes beyond food
It’s more than about the quality and variety you eat. Eating well as an older person is also about how healthy it feels. It’s also about sharing the experience of eating. Eating with friends is as essential as adding vitamins to your diet. Socializing can stimulate your mind, make meals more enjoyable, and help you stick to healthy eating habits.
Even if you don’t live with anyone, healthy meals can be made more enjoyable by:
You are shopping with others. Shopping with friends can allow you to meet up and catch up on chores while shopping. You can also share your meal ideas and save money by shopping with a friend.
You are cooking together. Invite a friend to share cooking responsibilities–one prepares the entree, the other dessert, for example. Sharing the cost of cooking can help you to build relationships and make it more affordable.
Make mealtimes social. Talking to a friend over dinner can make a huge difference in reducing stress and improving mood. Please keep the family updated by bringing them together. Invite a friend, coworker, and neighbor to join you. You can find companionship and healthy meals for older adults by visiting an adult care center.
