3 Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors
There are only so many things that can be done to keep a body healthy. Exercise and movement can keep a body strong, and rest helps refresh a person mentally and physically. However, without the proper nutritional intake, it’s much harder to get a good night’s sleep followed by a brisk morning walk.
Our diets change as we age, and the sooner a person can come to terms with that, the better. Gone are the days of eating whatever you want, whenever you want; now it’s time to focus on the foods your body needs that make you feel good. Here are three tips that will help you make the right decisions when it’s time to enjoy a meal.
1. Color Variety
If the food on your plate is all brown and beige, something is lacking. It’s good to have lean proteins like chicken and fish, and there’s nothing wrong with a little grain and starch, but the vitamins you get from colorful fruits and vegetables might make the biggest difference of all. Cooked veggies are good—raw veggies are even better.
Try to make sure there’s something colorful on your plate for every meal, and see if you can shake it up from one day to the next. Steamed broccoli on Monday, sliced carrots on Tuesday, roasted red pepper on Wednesday, etc. If you get enough natural fiber in your diet, you might be able to avoid adding another daily supplement to your pill case.
2. Serving Size
Overeating makes you feel bloated and tired. Unfortunately, undereating isn’t much better when you’re trying to maintain an active lifestyle. It’s important to keep your calories in the right range so you have the fuel you need without overdoing it. The American Heart Association and other online resources can help you determine what your personal intake should be.
The good news is that if you’re eating plenty of fruits and veggies, you get to eat more than someone who’s just filling up on cheese and bread. A healthy salad has far fewer calories than a cheeseburger, so keep that in mind as you plan your meals.
3. Stay Hydrated
Water and other fluids are just as important as the elements of your diet that involve chewing. Drinking enough water can keep you from overeating while also keeping you from feeling overly fatigued when you hit that midday slump.
If you have trouble drinking enough water, figure out your own tricks to help your cause. Maybe you buy an electrolyte-rich solution you can add to your water to give it some flavor. Maybe the fix is just a walker bag to help keep your water bottle easily accessible.
Eating healthy can be a challenge. Once you make it part of your routine and take guessing out of the equation, it becomes a lot easier. Focus on variety, keep your portions under control, and don’t forget to have that glass of water alongside your food.