Healthy eating tips seniors can follow today

Giving your body the right nutrients it needs to thrive is the first step in creating a healthy lifestyle for yourself! As you grow older, your metabolism slows down, meaning you need less calories to survive. However, it’s important those calories count by making healthy eating choices with the tips below.

Always read food labels

Many foods that are considered healthy (yogurt, pre-packaged smoothies, etc) may not be as healthy as you think once you read the nutrition label. When you’re at the grocery store, make an effort to purchase items that have minimal added sugar, sodium, and trans fat.

Make a consistent shopping list

As you age, you will need to include nutrient-dense foods on your shopping list. A good rule to follow is “eating from the rainbow” and choosing vibrant foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk and cheese, lean meats and eggs and beans, nuts, and seeds. Keep a running shopping list with at least one item from each of these categories.

Drink more water

It’s important to drink plenty of water, especially as you get older. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 8 cups or a half a gallon of water per day. Don’t allow yourself to get dehydrated by remembering to sip small amounts of water throughout the entire day. It’s also a good idea to incorporate low-calorie drinks such as coffee and tea for a caffeine boost. Carbonated drinks, on the other hand, such as soda have an excess amount of sugar that should be avoided.

Good luck with your healthy eating plans! With consistency and commitment to make daily changes, you will start seeing the results you want.