A lot of things in life change as you age. Your free time increases, your bodies need change, and your wants and desires change. So, it makes sense that your diet should change too. As the human body ages, your nutritional needs change and adapt, and your diet needs to change and adapt to make sure that it is still meeting the needs and specifics of your particular body. Here are a few ways that you should change your diet as you age to maintain proper health throughout your later life.
Eat Nutrient-Dense Food
This is good advice no matter what age you are, but it is especially important for older adults. Eating a diet that focuses on nutrient dense foods is the best way to ensure your long-term health and nutrition. Nutrient dense foods are foods that are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients while also staying relatively low in calories. Eating nutrient dense foods ensures that your body gets all the micro and macronutrients it needs without exceeding your calorie needs in a day. Make sure that you are sticking to fresh produce and meats and fish to anchor your diet.
Reduce Sugar and Processed Foods
This is also sound advice regardless of age, but you will notice the benefits especially in later life. Eating high amounts of sugar and processed foods can take a major toll on your body. Sugar is a leading cause of diabetes and high blood pressure, while processed foods tend to have less nutrients, and more added fats and sugars than whole foods. There are also other health factors to consider. Consuming lots of sugar over time can create serious dental issues. Make sure that as you age you focus on reducing your intake of sugar and processed foods.
Eat Less
As a rule, your metabolism will slow down as you age, meaning your body needs fewer calories to function. While this can be alleviated somewhat by staying active and focusing on maintaining muscle tissue as you age, your metabolism will still slow down with age. So, to ensure that you don’t become overweight or obese, you are going to need to eat less food as you age. Focus on working with a dietician or nutritionist to discover your calorie needs as you age.
Aging causes a lot of changes in the body. And one of those changes is the type of nutrition needed to maintain health. Make these three adjustments to your diet as you age to ensure that you are feeding your body properly.
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