Aging Well and Eating Well – Master Both

Healthy Eating is more important than ever as we start to age.  

 

You might remember the food pyramid, but the USDA recently unveiled a simpler way to help people see what they should eat each day. 

 

It’s called MyPlate (https://www.choosemyplate.gov/). 

 

The simple graphic on the site shows exactly how the five food groups should stack up on your plate. These are the building blocks for a healthy diet.

 

Make sure you eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. Your plate should look like a rainbow—bright, colored foods are always the best choice! 

 

A healthy meal should include:

Remember to choose foods that are high in fiber and low in sodium or salt. Also, look for Vitamin D, an important mineral as we age.

 

We will focus on different areas of the plate over the next few weeks and hope you find the information helpful.  Today, we will be discussing Kale to cover the fruits and vegetables area of the plate.

 

Did you know that Kale is considered to be one of the most nutritious vegetables of choice with extremely powerful antioxidant properties?  it is considered to be anti-inflammatory and is very high in beta carotene, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Lutein, zeaxanthin and reasonably rich in calcium.  Kale was brought to the US in the 17th century by English Settlers.  During World War II, the cultivation of kale in the UK was encouraged by the Dig for Victory campaign.  The vegetable was easy to grow and provided important nutrients to supplement those missing from a normal diet because of rationing.  

 

Enjoy your Kale as there are many ways to prepare!