Seniors and Good Food Choices

Start with small changes - If you have bad habits and want to turn it around start small. Changing your eating habits is not easy and you don't want to get discouraged. Baby steps.

Weight Control

Probably one of the largest health hazards many Americans are prone to is obesity. Unfortunately, our lifestyles have nurtured this unhealthy condition. Americans are exercising less and tend to have very sedentary life styles. Seventy-five percent of Americans are predisposed to obesity. Obesity is a cause of a wide range of illnesses including heart disease, diabetes stroke, hypertension, cancer, and sleep apnea.

Changing our diets and food choices is a good first step in turning around an unhealthy lifestyle.

• Red Meat - Eating less may prolong your life according to a study by AARP which included 500,000 adults. They found that senior adults that ate 4 or less oz's of red meat on a daily basis were 30% more likely to die from heart disease and cancer.
• Fish - Eating omega-3-rich fish can prevent heart attacks. Many nutritionists and health care officials say that eating fatty fish or taking fish oil supplements is one of the key practices that will keep seniors healthy. Research also says that fish oil may cut risks of Alzheimer's, asthma, lung problems, cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and weight gain.
• Dairy - Eggs - great source of protein and a source of choline - which may help protect against age-related memory loss. e Yogurt can enhance the immune system.
• Cereals - A diet rich in oats significantly lowers cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Oils - Olive oil is a good source of antioxidants with the extra virgin variety having the highest levels of antioxidants.
• Bakery - Choose whole grains - make sure it is the first ingredient on the label. It's important for colon health and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
• Beverages - Green and black tea, coffee beans - all of these are rich in antioxidants - and have been linked with a lower risk of colon cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and green tea is showing promise of reducing risk of stroke.
• Antioxidants - It is very important to include this food group in your diet for a healthy life. Foods that contain antioxidants cut your risks of a vast amount of diseases and illnesses. Some foods high in antioxidants include - dark chocolate, garlic, spinach, broccoli, tea, onions, coffee, and purple grapes. Read More........