Eating and Aging Well

It’s never to late to develop great eating habits.  In fact, it matters more than ever for Seniors.   Starting later in life is still great for your health.  Making the commitment to eat and age well will also make you feel better and most likely result in better doctor’s visits.  Developing a few good habits now, will make it easier stick with them over time.

People’s taste buds change over time. It is truly possible for a person to spend most of their life thinking they do not like cauliflower for example because maybe they did not enjoy as a child.  But surprisingly, people find they actually enjoy foods that they had not tried in years and realize their likes and dislikes shift.  Focusing on eating more fruits and vegetables and identifying which ones you now like to eat is a great way to expand your choices and flavors.  

A great suggestion is to seek out recipes that involve fruits and vegetables you haven’t tried before or have not had in an very long time.  The more you experiment and venture into new recipes, the more you’ll figure out which healthy ingredients you will be incorporating more into your meals.  

A very important thing to also remember as you are expanding your palate, is to always stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.  Dehydration can be a real concern for seniors – and the consequences for not refilling your glass with H2O often enough can be serious.

It is suggested that you make sure you keep a large glass or bottle of water nearby throughout the day. You can even mark a bottle or glass every time you drink to help yourself with goals and extra incentive to drink throughout the day.

Once you get into the habit of healthy eating, trying new things and drinking water daily, your body will appreciate it.  You will feel better just knowing that you are fueling the machine that keeps you going with healthy choices and plenty of hydration.  

So next time you are at the grocery store or looking for a new recipe, get out of your comfort zone and find creative recipes for a fruit or vegetable that you have not had in decades.  You will most likely be pleasantly surprised at your new favorite item to eat.

Bon Appetit!