Like it or not, we’re all getting older every day and while we can’t stop that, there are things we can do to slow it down. Sticking with healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices can help, according to experts. This is how they recommend eating to help slow the aging process.
- Limit your intake of junk food- You probably don’t want to hear this, but cutting down on added sugar is one of the best ways to slow down the aging process. And one of the best ways to do that is by limiting how much junk food you eat. Registered dietitian Ronald Smith explains, “Eating too much junk food can lead to health issues that can cause serious problems 10 or 20 years from now.”
- Eat more fish- Adding in certain types of fish to your diet benefits your health, especially as you get older. It’s the omega-3 fatty acids that are really good for you by protecting your body from disease and helping with heart problems and depression, according to Smith.
- Eat more colorful fruits and vegetables- They’re not only delicious, they’re also loaded with antioxidants and fiber, which dietitian Lisa R. Young says “counter the negative effects of aging.”
- Swap meat for plant-based protein- Eating less meat and more proteins like beans and legumes may also help slow down the aging process by lowering cholesterol levels, stabilizing blood sugar and reducing inflammation, Young explains.
- Stay hydrated- We hear all the time how important it is to drink plenty of water and that doesn’t change as you get older. It turns out, one of the biggest age-related issues for many people is dehydration. “As we age, many systems that we rely on to keep us hydrated begin to degrade, like the kidneys, and some common age-related medications can cause an increase in water loss,” explains registered dietitian Trista Best. Some foods have a high water content, like watermelon, cucumbers and tomatoes, so they help improve hydration and give the added bonus of anti-aging antioxidant nutrients, too.
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