Food is fuel. Because of that, we need to fuel our bodies with healthy foods to help our bodies stay as healthy as they can for as long as they can. American House Senior Living Communities in Michigan understand that, and they offer their residents options for healthy meals. They’ve put together 18 tips to eat healthier as you age that could help you become a “super ager.”
Older adults, especially those who live alone, may find themselves reaching for something quick and easy to eat, and that may not always be the healthiest choice. It’s understandable that seniors may not want to cook meals for themselves, but it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a healthy weight and to get the necessary nutrients. When you eat healthy, you can lower your risk of developing certain diseases like hypertension, diabetes and heart ailments.
When planning a shopping trip, look for a variety of foods, including:
- Dairy
- Fruits
- Grains
- Lean proteins
- Vegetables
Some older adults find it easier to ensure they are eating healthy meals and not letting snacking become the norm for their meals if they keep a food diary.
18 Tips To Eat Healthier As You Age
Your food diary could include:
- What you’ve eaten
- What time you ate
- What you had
- Whether you had fruits, vegetables, lean protein, grains and/or dairy in the meal
- Tracking portion sizes
It is so much easier to pick up prepared and processed foods, but that is not usually the healthiest option. Prepared foods are typically loaded with added sugars, fats and salt. There’s no reason you can’t treat yourself to snacks on occasion, just make sure they aren’t part of your daily routine.
For many older adults, slowing down is a sign of aging, and with that comes the need to cut back on calories. However, we do recommend being as active as you can, as often as you can. Take a walk outside, walk around the inside of your house if the weather isn’t cooperating, do some stretches or look for a senior exercise class. Keeping your body in shape could help keep your brain sharper.
Here are some of our favorite ways to ensure you’re eating as healthy as you can.
- Eat a variety of foods. Try to get one food from each food group in every meal.
- Eat enough lean protein to help maintain muscle. Enjoy seafood, dairy, beans and lentils as part of or as all of your meals.
- Buy fruit and vegetables, chop them up and keep them readily available in the fridge. Cut-up veggies and fruits are a healthy snack throughout the day.
- Lower your sodium intake by substituting salt in your recipes with other herbs.
- Drink water throughout the day. Staying hydrated aids in digestion and prevents dehydration.
- Plan your meals in advance. When you do this, you’re less likely to give into impulse food purchases. Planning meals will also cut down on food waste.
- Look for budget-friendly ingredients for your meals.
- Know how long you want to devote to food preparation. If you don’t truly enjoy time spent in meal prep, look for meals that are healthy and easy to prepare.
We know that for some senior adults, the idea of preparing meals and eating them alone is a barrier to eating healthy. We understand, and that’s why we love knowing that the residents who stay with us are eating healthy meals and have the opportunity to enjoy those meals with friends they’ve made in our community.
Give us a call today, schedule a tour and consider making American House your new “home sweet home.” Enjoy healthy meals and make new friends in our senior living community!
American House was founded in 1979 to enrich the lives of seniors and their loved ones in an environment that fosters independence, compassion, quality services and meaningful relationships. We provide a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, independent living with assistance, memory care services provided by a third party, respite stays and hospice in Dearborn Heights, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Westland.
Call an American House Senior Living community near you today to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful facilities and ask questions to help put your mind at ease if you’re considering a move for an aging loved one, spouse or even for yourself.
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