Cut out the sugar, get more calcium, eat your veggies, don\u2019t forget your vitamins\u2026 It sounds more like a dietary checklist for young children than for older adults. And with all the information out there on healthy eating for seniors, for sure, the sheer amount can get overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So what should (or should you not) eat in your golden years? Are there factors that nutrition for older adults? Is there anything additional you can do for vitality and longevity? And if you\u2019re the child or grandchild, how can you be a positive influence food-wise?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All great questions that require the help of WILDFIT\u00ae founder Eric Edmeades<\/strong> to answer. Taking insights from an exclusive interview with Mindvalley, here\u2019s a mini guide to inspire a new understanding of eating well as you age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With all the processed foods, genetically modified crops and animals, diet trends (and even the anti-diet culture<\/a>), it\u2019s no surprise that the quality of healthy eating has deteriorated, what more for older adults. So it begs the question, are they getting the proper nutrients that their bodies require?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some data that look into this issue:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poor diet quality can burden anyone\u2019s health, specifically older adults whose immune systems don\u2019t respond as robustly as their younger counterparts. As Eric says in the WILDFIT\u00ae program, \u201cWhen somebody is sick or they\u2019re in pain, there are, very often, things they could have done to prevent that sickness or prevent that pain<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So the moral of the story? Healthy eating should be at the top of everyone\u2019s priority list.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It goes without saying that a well-balanced diet \u2014 along with physical activity and proper sleep \u2014 is the foundation of your well-being, regardless of age. Healthy meals consist of whole-food sources of essential vitamins, minerals, fats, and amino acids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, these foods provide nutrients to support your day-to-day living and improve your way of life. Some (but not all) of its functions include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without a healthy diet or if you have a high consumption of processed foods, saturated fats, and alcohol, you might compromise any of these essential functions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your health is far more dependent upon you getting enough of the good stuff than it is on you eliminating the bad stuff.<\/p>\n\u2014 Eric Edmeades, founder of WILDFIT\u00ae<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The reality is, nutritional requirements change as you grow. But a varied diet that includes plenty of nutrient-dense foods is recommended for everyone, no matter your age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information is often thrown around like confetti. Some are traditional and some are modern. So how can you be sure which are just tall tales and which have merit?<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to healthy eating for seniors, here are three common myths debunked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you age, your immune system<\/a> becomes slower to respond. There are fewer cells and antibodies produced to fight off harmful substances and as a result, your body may heal more slowly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, medical problems ranging from high or low blood pressure to obesity to anxiety<\/a> can be factors that affect a healthy diet. That, in turn, can result in the decline of the quality of your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While aging is inevitable, there are ways you can support your immune system, including what you consume. And that includes foods rich in protein, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E, as recommended by the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Eric has to say about the immune system:<\/strong> \u201cCan you weaken the immune system? Sure. You could smoke, you could drink excessive amounts of alcohol, you could eat phenomenal levels of sugar, you could allow a huge amount of stress\u2026 So if you can weaken [your immune system], you can strengthen it.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s common knowledge that calcium plays an essential role in the body\u2019s function. With aging, calcium levels gradually dwindle, increasing the risk of fractures, osteoporosis, and diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve long been taught that one great source of calcium is dairy \u2014 milk, yogurt, cream, butter, and cheese. According to the National Institutes of Health, in the US alone, approximately 72% of calcium intake<\/a> comes from dairy products as well as foods with added dairy ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is the diet quality for seniors nowadays?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why is healthy eating important for seniors?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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3 common myths about senior nutrition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Myth 1: You can\u2019t strengthen the immune system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Myth 2: Dairy is a great source of calcium<\/h3>\n\n\n\n